Tap (1989)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Nick Castle

Writer (WGA):

Nick Castle (written by)

Release Date:

10 February 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

The heartbeat of a dream has a rhythm all its own.

Plot:

Just released from prison, Max Washington must decide which of his previous professions to return to burglar or tap dancer.

Plot Keywords:

Dancer | Tap Dancing | Mother Son Relationship | African American | Father Daughter Relationship

Cast

Gregory Hines	...	Max Washington
Sammy Davis Jr.	...	Little Mo
Suzzanne Douglas	...	Amy Simms
Savion Glover	...	Louis Simms
Terrence E. McNally	...	Bob Wythe
Joe Morton	...	Nicky
Dick Anthony Williams	...	Francis
Bunny Briggs	...	Bunny
Steve Condos	...	Steve
Arthur Duncan	...	Arthur
Pat Rico	...	Pat
Howard 'Sandman' Sims	...	Sandman
Jimmy Slyde	...	Slim
Harold Nicholas	...	Harold
Jane Goldberg	...	Dancer

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:12 (uncut) | UK:PG (cut) | Iceland:L | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:6 | Australia:PG | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Beco Films

Goofs:

Continuity: When Jimmy Slyde finishes his set during the challenge dance, he winds up on the opposite side of the room from Little Mo and stays there. But when Little Mo reacts to the set-up of Harold Nicholas' jump, Slyde is standing next to him again.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Century of Black Cinema (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

Free

Dancing - Superb; Story - Stinks

If it wasn't for the fact I've always enjoyed watching a good tap dancer, from Fred Astaire to Bill Robinson to Gene Kelly on here to Gregory Hines, I wouldn't have sat through all 111 minutes of this turkey. That's what the story is - a turkey with a bunch of angry, surly, unlikable characters who are no fun to listen to. The script is not the best, either.

What this REALLY is - and this part I like - is an excuse for Hines and fellow hoofers to strut their stuff. In fact, Hines puts on one of the best exhibitions of tap dancing I have ever seen. What's really fun is to see him and a some old men, former great dancers in their day, all together in a number or two. That's great stuff.

So, if want to enjoy some super dancing, check this out, but if you want a good story, pass it up.