Dance with Me (1998)

Young Cuban Rafael just buried his mother, and comes to Houston to meet his father John for the first time. The difficult part is that John doesn't know he is Rafael's father. John runs a ... See full summary »

Director:

Randa Haines

Writer:

Daryl Matthews

Stars:

Vanessa Williams, Chayanne, Kris Kristofferson

5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Young Cuban Rafael just buried his mother, and comes to Houston to meet his father John for the first time. The difficult part is that John doesn't know he is Rafael's father. John runs a dance studio, and everyone prepares for the World Open Dance championship in Las Vegas. It soon becomes clear Rafael is a very good dancer, and Ruby is the biggest hope for the studio at the championship.

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Plot Keywords:

dance | dancer | cuban | dance studio | reference to gene kelly | 

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Taglines:

Dance with me

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language and sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 August 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Shut Up and Dance

Filming Locations:

Dominican Republic

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$4,507,663 (USA) (21 August 1998)

Gross:

$15,814,088 (USA) (16 October 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mandalay Entertainment, Ballroom Dancer

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although Chayenee plays Cuban in the film, he is actually from Puerto Rico. And even though the opening of the film is supposed to be in Cuba, it was actually shot in the Dominican Republic.

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Goofs

After Rafael and Ruby come home from dancing and the sprinklers come on the first steps that Rafael take, puddles of water are already visible under his feet.

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Quotes

Rafael Infante: You need to talk to me?
Ruby Sinclair: I don't wonna be in love.

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Crazy Credits

Ending credits show scenes from the movie

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Connections

Referenced in In the Shadow of Hollywood (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Tres deseos (Three Wishes)"
12" Remix"
Written by Kike Santander
Performed by Gloria Estefan

User Reviews

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.