Dance with Me (1998)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

Randa Haines

Writer (WGA):

Daryl Matthews (written by)

Release Date:

21 August 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Music

Tagline:

In the dance of life, love can happen in a heartbeat.

Plot:

Young Cuban Rafael just buried his mother, and comes to Houston to meet his father John for the first time...

Plot Keywords:

Dance Contest | Dance | Ballroom Dancing

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Vanessa Williams	...	Ruby Sinclair
Chayanne	...	Rafael Infante
Kris Kristofferson	...	John Burnett
Joan Plowright	...	Bea Johnson
Jane Krakowski	...	Patricia
Beth Grant	...	Lovejoy
Harry Groener	...	Michael
William Marquez	...	Stefano
Scott Paetty	...	Steve
Rick Valenzuela	...	Julian Marshall
Chaz Oswill	...	Peter
Liz Curtis	...	Kim
Bill Applebaum	...	Don Harrington
Angelo Pagan	...	Cuban Mailman
Victor Marcel	...	Fernando

Also Known As:

Shut Up and Dance (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:PG (certificate #35240) | Iceland:L | Canada:G (British Columbia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | South Korea:12 | Argentina:Atp | France:U | Hong Kong:I | Norway:A | Peru:PT | Sweden:Btl | UK:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Dominican Republic

Company:

Ballroom Dancer

Goofs:

Continuity: In the final dance of the competition, when Ruby is imagining that Rafael is dancing with her, you see Julian's hand on her torso as Rafael's hand pulls away.

Quotes:

Julian Marshall: Watch your tempo
Ruby Sinclair: Watch your ego!

Movie Connections:

References Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Soundtrack:

Heaven's What I Feel

A Pleasant Surprise

I saw this film by chance on cable TV. I was captivated from the start and stayed with it to the end (a major feat for a remote "trigger finger" like me). I read the cable synopsis and thought, "Uh oh! Cliché city!" But, to my surprise, this film was not clichéd and the film was like a breath of fresh air. The performances, for the most part, were true and honest. Chayenne (as Rafael, a Cuban émigré) is charming and acts well in his English-language film debut. Vanessa Williams is stunning, as always. And the music! Picante! The dance sequences are excellent and Chayenne is an excellent dancer as is Vanessa. Chayenne has a soulful demeanor and with his eyes and subtle facial inflections, he made me feel his loneliness as a stranger in a new land. Many times, I thought the film would sink into gooey sentimentality, but again, to my surprise, it rose above such obviousness. The best scene in the film is when Chayenne is caught in a lawn sprinkler system that turns on unexpectedly. With great charm and wit, Chayenne does an excellent homage to Gene Kelly, but with his own style and grace. A wonderful and funny scene. I recommend this film if you want to hear some great Latin music, see some great dancing and be captivated by Chayenne and the beautiful Vanessa Williams. By the way, Kris Kristofferson is very good as the man who gives Rafael (Chayenne) a place to live upon arriving from Cuba and who plays a key role in Rafael's adjustment to a new life in America.