Christmas Dance

Jack Pressman is a driven financial planner at Carsley Investments in New York, currently dating Demi Carsley, the daughter of the firm's owner, Drew. To secure a major promotion and fit into the Carsley family's high-society traditions, Jack signs up for ballroom dance lessons to prepare for their annual Christmas Ball. He meets Christine Davis, a passionate instructor who runs her late father's studio. Their relationship starts with friction when Jack dismisses dance as mere 'moving to music,' but Christine challenges him to 'feel' the rhythm rather than just 'think' it. As they grow closer, Jack realizes that the 'Trombley Project'—the massive redevelopment deal he is spearheading—is the very project that will evict Christine and demolish her studio on Christmas Eve. Jack hides his professional identity, even having his friend Rick impersonate him with a fake British accent during a phone call with Christine to avoid being recognized. Meanwhile, Jack's mother, Jessica, arrives from Kansas and finds herself alienated by Demi's 'avant-garde' and 'deconstructed' lifestyle, instead bonding with Christine over a shared love for traditional Christmas ornaments. The conflict reaches a breaking point at the Carsley Christmas Ball, where Christine is hired as a surprise guest instructor. She recognizes Jack, realizing he is the 'John Pressman' responsible for her eviction, while Demi realizes Jack has no intention of proposing. Heartbroken and betrayed, Christine flees. Jack, realizing the hollowness of his corporate ambitions, combs through Christine's family records and finds an informal co-operative agreement written on the back of an old photograph. This document proves Christine's father actually owned the building through a long-term rent-to-own agreement. Jack presents this evidence to Christine, effectively killing his own multi-million dollar deal and his career at Carsley Investments, but saving the studio. The film ends with Jack and Christine dancing in the saved studio, finally in sync.