Danse passion

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.

This is one of my all-time favorites, yet I wouldn't call the film great in the usual sense. It doesn't have an intricate plot, and some will be frustrated at the limited interaction between the stars, Williams and Chayanne. (I wasn't but that's me.) The film's spirit - with its dancing and Latin music - makes it something special. The acting was superb, and there was a nice mix of characters. But the dancing really steals the show - it makes you want to get up and join them.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a mix of light drama and dancing.

We all know Vanessa Williams isn't the greatest actress in the world. Personally, I thought she was just plain bad in 'Eraser'. She wound up making Schwarzenegger look like De Niro.

Well, I was sitting on my couch bored and 'Dance With Me' came on TV. I would normally change the channel, but the great dancing was hypnotic. I found myself incapable of pressing the button on my remote. My subconscious was screaming at me, "AAAAAAAH! THIS IS CR**! VANESSA WILLIAMS CAN'T ACT! TURN IT OFF, MAN! SWEET MOTHER OF GOD STOP THE PAIN!" But, still ... I couldn't change the channel.

Anyway, I wound up sitting through the entire film. [bows his head in shame] And it wasn't bad. I ... I enjoyed it. The cast was good and Vanessa Williams altered my perception of her. She's a decent actress and a great dancer. It was a fun movie.

Just don't tell anyone you heard it from me.

I don't get it. Why does this movie have so low a rating. I mean i realize its not the greatest ever, but its certainly not a 4 pointer either. It deserves at least a 7 or a 7.5 Some might even give it 8. This definitely one of those cases where the IMDb rating is certainly not correct. In my opinion.

The dancing and music are of course very good. To see Chayanne do his stuff is like magic. He shows you how the music leads him. But even the dialogs are so great, people somehow tend to miss that. A real pity. It could be better no doubt, but it certainly isn't a bad movie. So why the ridiculously low rating.

This movie was one of the greatest Latin dance movies. I myself dance and i love the way it focused around the fact of REAL Latin DANCING (afro-cuban) and ballroom Latin dancing.

The only thing that i could picture wrong with the film was not enough dancing, but i tell you, when the dance scenes hit the screen they REALLY hit it :). The great choreography, and great music, couldn't stop smiling.

Some low points of the film was with father son chats, which just seem like they were there to fill in time.

The cast was a great choice. Chayanne (Latin singer) who moves are unique and fun and that makes u smile. And Vanessa L. Williams, was trained to the extent of a real ballroom champion.

With all of this it included comedy, many funny lines which make it memorable, and a lasting feeling that will make you want to take up salsa dancing :)

If you enjoy this movie, rent out dirty dancing havana nights, forbidden dance lambada, salsa motion picture (oldie but a goodie)