I've already seen this now ten-year old film a couple of times. It's a pretty mediocre work that could have been much better given the amount of talent in (most of) its cast. Roger Ebert kindly gave it three stars.

DWM's strong points are considerable.

For those of use who have spent a fair amount of time in such places, its portrait of a small-time dance studio is reasonably accurate - except that very few such places have prospective national champions on their staff.

Then there's Vanessa Williams, easily one of the most gorgeous women on the planet (especially in that blue dress), a good enough dancer to play her role convincingly, a decent actress, and living proof that no one should take beauty pageants seriously.

The film's other main asset is the power of its many good supporting performances, most notably Kris Kristofferson, Joan Plowright, and a surprising Jane Krakowski. Also, there are several scenes with some good Latin music.

But "Dance with Me" has two serious weaknesses: an utterly cornball script and a nauseatingly awful performance by its male lead, the Latin music star Chayanne. If he has dance skills this film certainly fails to show them (a statement that is somewhat true of Williams as well). He certainly has no acting ability and was obviously chosen purely for his looks.

DWM is like most showcase performances at one of those small studios. We watch because we like the dancers more than their dancing and, when it's over, we forget about it completely.

Still, it's a hell of a lot better than "The Tango Lesson."

jj

Added note: Movies always have different versions, especially when they're recut for television. The dance scene with Ruby and Rafael at the end is longer in this version than in the one I first saw in the theater. I distinctly remember being disappointed that it didn't last longer the first time that I saw it.

I don't know the film "Dance with Me", but I have very recently watched "The Tango Lesson", and agree that it was dire!

Now I DID enjoy "Shall We Dance", but then having already seen "Chicago", I already knew that Richard Gere can move.

The Japanese original of "Shall We Dance" inspired me to take up ballroom dancing.

I enjoyed the American version too but probably would have liked it more if I had seen it first. Stanley Tucci's performance is my favorite part if the film.

jj

Same with me. I took 3 introductory lessons at a studio and was so-so about it. Then someone gave me the Japanese original "Shall We Dance" and I was hooked. I think the American version comes in second to it. Been dancing ever since.

There was also Rick Valenzuela who in real life, of course, is a world class dancer and, from what I can gather, a real nice guy. It says a lot for his acting abilities that he was able to paint such a nasty portrait of a self-centered dancer that is almost believable.

Excellent point. I can appreciate now how well he did in making Williams look good in their competition scenes.

jj

Do you remember the group Vanesa did around the post. I also use that move. Meaning I stand still in a pose and the lady does the swivelling. I have always called it the Vanesa Williams. That group is repeated by Rick and Vanesa later in the dance scenes. No critisism of Vanesa please. She is a better dancer than most reading this script. Technicaly and otherwise. And acting . How would we be standing still for some dozen bars of music and be able to carry that scene. I doubt it.
Now get The Robert Duvall DVD of Assasination Tango. Not only is it a good story it has heaps of Agentine Tango in it.

Thanks, jj, for starting this thread. I've always been puzzled by the following:

One thing I cannot understand is why there had to be so much rotary movement in the Foxtrot competition scene. Would the predominance of Feather Steps and other "simple" figures be too boring for the general audience?

Also, in the credits we read that a "Kim" is played by "Liz Curtis". THE Liz Curtis (partner of Ron Montez)? And who is Kim in the movie. Anyone know?

nigel, sorry for not responding sooner. I've been butting heads with someone who doesn't understand his subject.

Thanks for that point about the Fox Trot. I've been watching several videos of recent championship level performances and demonstrations and I've noticed the same thing: turn after turn after turn punctuating endless Reverse Waves. They're making the Fox Trot look more like the Waltz in much the same way that all of the Latin dances are starting to resemble each other in North American competitions.

I blame a lot of this trend on the desperation to get Ballroom Dancing into the Olympics. There seems to be at work the conviction that dancing needs to look more "athletic" and less artistic. I personally find the long-term implications of this philosophy to be troubling.

Wasn't "Kim" the partner with whom "Julian" was dancing on the video that "Ruby" was watching in her bedroom and in the office at the studio?

jj

thanks for the insult jj. as if insulting me on the original thread wasn't bad enough and i would really prefer it if you refrained from bad-mouthing me. you really are a big-head aren't you.