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Honey (Alba) works three jobs in the Bronx to make ends meet--as a barmaid, a record shop clerk and teaching hip-hop dance in the community centre run by her parents (Sherwood and McKee). Eventually she's noticed by a hot-shot music video director (Moscow) and her climb to stardom as a dancer-choreographer begins. Meanwhile, she struggles to find time for her best friend (Bryant), is romanced by a local barber (Phifer) and tries to help two kids (Romeo and Williams) make the most of their talent. But it's not easy juggling success, relationships and social responsibility, especially when your boss starts hitting on you and all the big stars want to work with you.

The plot is pure fluff, with a script structured in such a way that you never doubt anything for a second (and you never believe anything either). The screenplay was probably only about 30 pages long, since the film is padded out with endless dance sequences. Fortunately, these numbers are energetically performed and choreographed, with Alba providing a strong presence at the centre. Romeo and Williams are able to make a lot more of their underwritten roles than Phifer manages (but then, he's also badly cast here). And Moscow makes a nicely charming creep--the kid from Big all grown up! OK, so the film's enjoyable in a guilty pleasure sort of way, especially while laughing at the sloppy sentiment. And you realise what a mess it is when Missy Elliot completely steals the show in two brief scenes. With a bit more of this sparky personality, the film could have been a lot more fun. As it is, you'll be just as entertained watching MTV for 90 minutes.