INTERVIEW: Susan Seidelman, REVIEW "Musical Chairs"

[Rachel Galvin]

FILM REVIEW: “Musical Chairs”

(INTERVIEW: Susan Seidelman)

By Rachel Galvin

On left, I.S. founder Rachel Galvin and Susan Seidelman at Boynton Cinema for screening of "Musical Chairs," March 25

Director Susan Seidelman returns to New York to make “Musical Chairs,” a film that celebrates the diversity intrinsic to the Big Apple while presenting a light and touching story that shows the strength of the human spirit. The film begins following Puerto Rican Armando (played by E.J. Bonilla) as he spends his time dodging his overbearing mother (Priscilla Lopez) who is trying to hook him up with an old (girl)friend from the neighborhood, and working teaching Latin dance moves to senior citizens. But a fellow dance instructor, Mia, an upscale Manhattan socialite, catches his eye. The action begins, after a seductive encounter between the two, when Mia being hit unexpectedly by a car. The plot eventually turns to Armando teaching Mia and other characters who are in therapy how to dance in their wheelchairs so they can prepare to compete. The characters include a muscle-bound rough around the edges jock, a gothic hard-edged girl and a proud African American Transgender diva. Almost every actor in this film undergoes a character arc in the film, adding dimension to the piece, despite the focus being on Armando and Mia.

The cast is comprised of fairly unknown actors who learn to dance and dancers who learn to dance, according to Seidelman, who said they took four weeks pre-production simply learning how to move in wheelchairs. The film production took 26 days to shoot, all in New York in areas like Midtown, Washington Heights and the Bronx.

“I love New York,” said Seidelman. “It gives a free colorful backdrop.”

Some of her scenes were shot gorilla style, such as the subway scene, saying a minimal crew was used and each time the subway stopped, the actor ran in and then back out again.

The movie has a real indie feel with the focus being on the subject matter and also the blossoming romance. There is a mix of humor and heartache and the ending is perfectly crafted, leaving the audience satisfied, uplifted and perhaps a bit teary-eyed.

Find out more about the film, now in select theaters, at www.musicalchairsthefilm.com.

Talking with Seidelman

Seidelman, who has worked in both film and TV, says she prefers film.

“No one says you have to do it this way [in film], except 'Sex & the City' [she filmed the pilot and several episodes], in which I got to help create what the show would look like. I like HBO, Showtime because they don't mind pushing the envelope.”

She has worked in films like “She-Devil,” “Making Mr. Right,” “Boynton Beach Club” and “Desperately Seeking Susan.”

On Madonna, who played Susan in the latter, she said, “She lived down the street from me. I knew her from the NY music scene.”

She wondered what it would be like to put some of Madonna's natural qualities – sassiness and street smarts into the character of Susan. “There is no way I would have predicted [the extent of] her success. She was incredibly smart and determined, goal [oriented], driven.”

When asked about the rumored 'fight' between Madonna and Rosanna Arquette, she said, “It wasn't really a fight. Rosanna was the star. [But Madonna's stardom exploded during the filming of the movie] We were able to film wherever we wanted in the beginning, but by week seven or eight, we needed security because Madonna's [album was released.]”

On Streep, who was in “She-Devil,” she said, “She was very professional. When someone is that secure, they don't have temper tantrums. They come to the set and do their work.”

Asked who she would like to work with, she mentioned being wowed by Jennifer Lawrence and Charlize Theron.

Seidelman's next project “The Hot Flashes” just wrapped and is in post-production. It stars Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, Virginia Madsen, Camryn Manheim and Wanda Sykes. It is about a group of middle aged women who used to play in high school, who start a basketball team just to prove they can still do it.

Seidelman said that much like “Musical Chairs,” the women worked for four weeks before filming simply working on their basketball skills. Similarly, that pre-pre-production period helped the cast bond together. The women worked with the president of the WNBA and professional players.