Product DescriptionIt's not exactly Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, but this 1998 entry, starring Vanessa Williams and newcomer Chayanne offers its own terpsichorean pleasures. The story centers on Rafael Infante (Chayanne), a Cuban émigré to Texas, where he takes a menial job at a local dance studio run by John Burnett (Kris Kristofferson). There, he falls for Ruby Sinclair (Vanessa Williams), a one-time ballroom championship contender looking for the opportunity to compete for the title once more. The romance seems a foregone conclusion but has some snap thanks to a crisp performance by Williams and a sunny (if limited) one by Chayanne, a singing star in Puerto Rico. Best of all is the dancing itself. In terms of both energy, exuberance, and style, this film's dance sequences rank with the best of the decade's limited celebration of the kinetic art, such as Strictly Ballroom and Shall We Dance. Though the movie's central plot secret seems obvious from the first downbeat, the film takes off every time the dance music kicks in. --Marshall Fine - Actors: Vanessa Williams (VII), Chayanne, Kris Kristofferson, Joan Plowright, Jane Krakowski
- Director: Randa Haines
- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
- Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
- Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
- ISBN: 0767812387
- Language (Original Language): English
- Language (Subtitled): English
- Region Code: 1
- Release Date: 1999-01-12
- Running Time: 127 minutes
- Theatrical Release Date: 1998-08-21
Customer ReviewsReviewed on 2008-06-29 
The best of the ballroom dance films
As a heavy-duty ballroom dance fan, I found this the best of all the ballroom dance films - for sheer talent. I had no idea Vanessa Williams was that good a ballroom dancer, let alone such a fine actress and a stunning woman. Chayenne, not the best actor around, is nevertheless somewhat sweet and charming but he cannot hold a candle to the firepower of the professional ballroom dancers. The scenes where the competitions take place are fabulous, using real ballroom dance champions, doing real, not bastardized, ballroom dancing.
The story-line behind the dancing (and it *is* behind the dancing) is a nice one but predictable. Chayenne is a Cuban immigrant on a trip to meet his American father (Chris Christofferson), who doesn't know Chayenne is his son, fathered by him in an old love affair aboard a cruise ship. Chayenne arrives to do handyman work at Christofferson's dance studio and the latter soon realizes Chayenne is his son, which creates tension between them. To me, that aspect of the film was padding and could easily have been omitted in favor of more dancing.
The better parts have to do with a clash in dance style between Vanessa Williams' character and Chayenne's but they work it out and it becomes great fun to watch the two free-form dancing together, and dancing with others at small night clubs.
Truth to tell, I wish there were far more ballroom dance movies of high quality like this one. The other ballroom dance movies are built more around love stories, such as "Strictly Ballroom". "Shall We Dance", with Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez is also good but doesn't have the professional spark that "Dance With Me" reveals.
(Not that this has much to do with ballroom dance, but I am still waiting for some hugely talented person to release a high-quality DVD of just Fred Astaire's dances. JUST the dances with dates, partners, name of film; no interviews, no talking, just his dances, with and without partners. If anyone knows of such a DVD, I'd sacrifice my firstborn for it!)
|  | Reviewed on 2008-06-18
Dance With Me
Chayanne & Vanessa Williams did a great job. I never knew that Vanessa Williams could do salsa until I watched this movie. Great movie! | | Reviewed on 2008-06-08
FABULOUS!
Fantastic dance movie. Plot is not bad. But it's all about the dancing. Woah, hot love scene bet. Vanessa and Chayanne, no nudity, but WOW! Lucky Vanessa. Check it out ladies, too hot. This is a good movie for all you latin dance lovers. Enjoy. | | Reviewed on 2008-05-23
SO MUCH FUN
Yes, the plot is predictable but the key to enjoying this movie is not to over-analyze it. What is it's objective? To be fun and it does that superbly. Both Vanessa and Chayanne look beautiful, have tremendous chemistry and move well together. Great music too! Like others who've reviewed this movie I can't figure out how Kris Kristofersson was cast for this movie. That's all wrong. But if you want a down in the dumps, rainy day picker-upper this is a sure thing. | | Reviewed on 2008-05-13 
Watch it for the dancing
Latin heartthrob Chayanne can sing. Chayanne can dance. Chayanne can teach Ricky Martin a thing or two about moving the hips. But, Chayanne cannot act very well. Vanessa Williams basically has to carry the movie because Chayanne, when he is not dancing...does very little for the film. But, when Chayanne is dancing all the bets are off. The passion in the dance sequences is palpable, the dancing is amazing and darn...it looks like fun!
The film's plot has been done in many many other films. So, it is not only predictable, it is downright scene by scene a what every dance movie til then and since then has done. But, don't watch it for the predictable plot. The strengths of this movie lies in the dancing...because it is Latin hot! Trust me, I am Latin ;-) | |
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