DANCE WITH ME

US, 1998, 126 minutes, Colour.
Vanessa Williams, Chayanne, Kris Kristofferson, Jane Krakowski, Joan Plowright, Beth Grant, William Marquez.
Directed by Randa Haines.

Dance With Me is a pleasant and positive dance film. Strictly Ballroom created an interest in dance films in the early 90s and this has continued, especially with the promotion of television shows like Strictly Come Dancing. There have been many films on various styles of dancing from breakdance to salsa. In 2004, the documentary Mad Hot Ballroom showed the attempts of teacher Pierre Dulaine in New York to work with children from underprivileged backgrounds to develop through dance. This was taken up in the feature film about Dulaine, Take the Lead with Antonio Banderas.

Vanessa Williams is a competitive dancer – and she is full of verve though has taken time off to look after her young son. She works in a studio run by Kris Kristofferson, a character who had worked on cruise ships. Into his life and her life comes a young Cuban man played by Puerto Rican singer and dancer, Chayanne. He is a charming young man and literally whirls characters off their feet. The cast also includes musical star Jane Krakowski. Joan Plowright also appears as a rather dowdy but genial would-be dancer.

The film was directed by Randa Haines (Wrestling Ernest Hemingway and the Oscar-winning Children of a Lesser God). The film is optimistic – is completely predictable in its presentation but succeeds with an audience because of its positive attitudes, the vibrancy and vitality of the dance, the charm of the stars and its verve.

1.A pleasing dance film? The experience of dance? Dance and life? Dance and romance?

2.The popularity of dance films during the 1990s? The Strictly Ballroom popularity? Other dance films? The familiarity of plot? The musical and dance style? Life issues? Love issues?

3.The Latin American background? Rafael and his coming from Cuba? The Latin American rhythms? The Latin American dances?

4.The choreography, the colour, the costumes, the pace and editing? The talent of dancing, training, competition? The comic touches with Bea?

5.The pleasing plot? Popular ingredients? Familiar? Expectations – fulfilled? Except that Ruby did not dance with Rafael in the competition – but afterwards?

6.The focus on Rafael, his Cuban background, the death of his mother, his going to Texas? The memory of his mother, her performance on cruises, the relationship with the American? Her trying to tell John’s father, his refusal? John not knowing of her pregnancy? The bus, the arrival at the centre, the meeting with Lovejoy, her friendship? Seeing Ruby? John, the house, the jobs, decorating the hall, fixing the vehicle? His watching the dancing? Talking with Ruby? Leaving the club? His dancing with Patricia, the training, the competition? Friendship with Bea? The friendly encounters with Ruby after her initial hostility? The fancy dress dance, her zip undone, Rafael helping her, her owing him one? His going out with her, her upset when she saw him dance? Feeling she was insulted? His apology? Going out again, the dancing, getting wet in the garden, Bea bringing him inside? Changing his clothes – sexual provocation? Ruby and her decision not to go ahead? The clash with John, going fishing with him, the discussions about his background? John not wanting a son? His continuing to dance, the success with Patricia, Ruby watching? The final happiness – dancing with Ruby, playing with Peter? Reconciled with John? The humour of his dance with Bea?

7.Ruby, her background, a dancer, her relationship with Julian, watching him on the television, her withdrawing from dancing, pregnancy, birth of Peter? With Michael and the various rehearsals? The difficulties of training? Her dancing without music – Rafael trying to get her to respond to music? The dance, the zip slipping, going to the club, the attraction to Rafael, being hurt? Learning from him, listening to the music? Her going out with him, her resisting the relationship? Her decision to continue, to leave the centre? The competition, Julian and his severity? Winning? The aftermath, especially after being encouraged by Rafael? The happy final dancing?

8.John and his past, entertaining on cruises, relationships? His not knowing of the pregnancy? His running the studio? His being nice to John, welcoming him, giving him the room? His going fishing with him? The discussion about family, Rafael being hurt? His retiring, going fishing? His coming to the competition, enjoying it, the reconciliation?

9.The people at the studio, Lovejoy and her management, Stefano and his training – and his eye on Ruby’s zip? His memories, wanting a better job? The closing of the studio, the staff? The sessions, the clients, Rafael and his handling of people, charming them? People being irritated – Stefano reconciling them? Showing them better steps?

10.Joan Plowright enjoying herself as Bea, her zest, the dancing?

11.Julian, his dancing, the pregnancy, separation, his ego, dancing with Ruby, pressurising her, the win?

12.The scenes with Peter, at home, dancing, love for his mother, friendship with Rafael?

13.The predictability of the plot and characters – but enjoyment nonetheless?