The picture trivializes the characters, hinting at depths it can't depict, aiming at a profundity of feeling it can't begin to reach.

Beyond Wahlberg's deft moves, School's dancing is leaden, not charming, and the only challenge is enduring the film's lumbering progress until it finally clicks at the end.

Predictable and decidedly old-fashioned in its sensibility, the film is likely to win over audiences if not critics.

Decent performances, especially by Tomei, Carlyle and Steenburgen, can't overcome that this one time film short doesn't have enough substance to become a feature film.