Review of Hot to Trot (2017) by Nina F — 25 Aug 2018

Hot to Trot, a wonderfully engaging, visually seductive, and upbeat documentary, is ostensibly 'about' same-sex ballroom dancing. By following the lives of its four protagonists on-and, just as importantly, off-the dance floor for about four years, director Gail Freedman nudges the subtext into the foreground, thus bringing to mind the old feminist rallying cry, "the personal is political.".

More than anything, Hot to Trot is about empowerment. Therefore, it is a film not simply for the LGBTQI community, but for all of us, including those who do not self-identify as members of a historically marginalized community. Among other things, the film suggests that our identities are multi-faceted, that they don't just hinge on gender, race, religion, etc. Who hasn't struggled with, or known someone who's struggled with, a relationship, an illness, a parent who disapproves of our choices, and a myriad of other issues and obstacles-on view in Hot to Trot!

For those among us who are uncomfortable with difference, Hot to Trot reminds us that ultimately-corny though it might sound-we're all human beings. A trenchant message for treacherous times.