“Roll Bounce” is a “feelings” type of movie. It makes you feel immediately excited, sad, and at the end, pretty restless. In many ways it is reminiscent of “Saturday Night Fever,” as both tell coming of age stories of kids in the city whose lives revolve around (some form of) dancing. But unlike the subtle “Fever,” “Bounce” doesn’t get you thinking. It gets you smiling.

“Bounce” takes a nostalgic glide into the lives of adolescents in a 1970s Chicago neighborhood and into the treasured social mecca of the time: the roller skating rink. Under the twinkling lights of the southside rink, passionate youth Xavier (Bow Wow) and his friends skate their summers away. When the local rink closes down, “X” and his friends are forced to try out Sweetwater, the richer, whiter rink on the north side of town. There, the reigning king of the skating floor, “Sweetness” is worshipped for his polished routine, and X and friends, as the newcomers from the south side, are at a great disadvantage. In Sweetwater’s foreign atmosphere of polyester bell bottoms and Bee Gee’s songs, X and his friends struggle to prove that their moves – and their styles – are good enough.

The complicated relationship between X and his father Curtis, (Chi McBride) who are both grieving over the recent loss of X’s mother, adds a dramatic element to the film that makes it a bit heavier than the average comedy/romance, and rightfully so. Not only does it bring us closer to both characters, it acts as an effective catalyst in Xavier’s coming of age, which is the part of the film that hits us deepest.

Though serious drama is woven in to the plot, the vibe of this film remains steadily lighthearted. The skating scenes alone are exciting enough, but there is also a good deal of celebrity cameos that make it even more entertaining, like Charlie Murphy as the slightly deranged garbage man. Also, the feel good disco soundtrack and split-screen cinematography give it that wistful ‘70s vibe.

By the film’s end, we are attached to the characters and on our toes at the final “skate off.” Although this movie may not have the kind of impact of “Fever,” it will still win over hearts. At the very least it will make you want to put on some roller skates.