Roseland was an actual dance/music hall in New York City that closed down in 2014. Three vintage stories takes place in the dance hall. The main theme is old age is sad and lonely.
The screen writer, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, was fifty when the movie came out and after seeing the movie, makes me wonder if she dreaded growing old.
The first story is "The Waltz" about an old woman played by Teresa Wright who has a difficult time in letting go of the memory of her late husband. She meets a fellow dancer, Stan (Lou Jacobi).
It reminded me of old Twilight Zone episode where old folks try to reclaim their youth or go back into past.
The second story, "The Hustle" is the longest and best one. It's about a gigolo named Russell (Christopher Walken) and the women in his life. Walken chews up the scenery.
One the best moments in this story is when Geraldine Chaplin mimes that she is going home to get some sleep.
The third story, "The Peabody" about an elderly woman who participates in a dance contest. There is a hint that the dancing the Peabody is deadly for old people (two people die after dancing). The story came across as something I have seen in a thriller/horror anthology movie.
The overall movie has an old timey feel to it with a mixture of 1970's. That same year Saturday Night Fever came out which was a huge success.
The acting was good in both films however SNF had better music, it dealt with modern themes, appealed to the younger crowd and the dancing was better.
The reason I gave it a seven is because the acting was good and "The Hustle" I wish the Hustle was the whole film.
