This movie is a pretty predictable teen-romance. There is a lot of bad language, a drive-by, and general gang-activity. Also, there is some teen drinking, smoking, and presenting of fake IDs, and the main character's best friend has a child out of accidental pregnancy. However, it also has the perspectives of under-privelaged teens living in the ghetto. Also, it touches on the difficulties of interracial romance and racism. It's nice to finally see a couple of different races on the big screen. This is not to say it is a good movie...It's actually pretty bad, complete with a rather terrible script.
Save the Last Dance
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Formulaic teen romance with an MTV spin.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–14
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Save the Last Dance was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that this movie has strong language, and the soundtrack lyrics have even stronger language, including the "N" word. Chenille has an out of wedlock child (and a difficult relationship with the child's father). Derek has to decide whether his loyalty to an old friend (and his sense of guilt at the friend's having taken the rap for them both) means that he must go along with him when he plans to shoot someone. Characters object to the interracial romance, mostly because they are jealous. The characters buy fake IDs so they can go to a club that serves liquor, and they drink and smoke.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the choices Sara and Derek must face. Sara blames herself for her mother's death. How does she overcome that feeling and allow herself to take the risk of auditioning again? How do Derek and Sara get into trouble by not being honest with each other about what is bothering them? How do they sort through their loyalties, Derek to his friend Malakai (Fredro Starr) and Sara to Chenille? Malakai tells Derek, "You act like you don't know who you are anymore." How do Sara and Derek decide who they are? Where do they find their support?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Save the Last Dance
What’s the Story?
SAVE THE LAST DANCE centers on Sara Johnson (Julia Stiles), a ballet dancer who is nervous about her big audition for Julliard. Her mother promises to be there, but she is killed in a car crash on the way to the theater. Sara moves from the suburbs to live with her dad (Terry Kinney) in a tiny apartment in Chicago's inner city. Her new high school has metal detectors, and almost all of the students are black. She's befriended by Chenille (Kerry Washington), whose brother Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas) is a smart kid torn between his old friends who are increasingly involved in dangerous activities, and his ambitions to go to medical school. Chenille brings Sara to a dance club and Derek teaches Sara a little about hip hop. They become friends, then romantically involved. He finds out about her passion for ballet, and urges her to apply to Julliard again. Various complications ensue, and Sara, Chenille, and Derek have to confront their fears and think carefully about loyalty and trust. Ultimately, what Sara learns from Derek in dance and in life, helps her to follow her dream.
Is It Any Good?
Save the Last Dance is a formulaic coming of age/teen romance with an MTV spin (MTV co-produced the movie). While the script is below average, even by the low standards of this genre, its performers are attractive and sincere (Kerry Washington is particularly appealing) and most teens are still so new to this category of film that it may not seem clichéd to them.
This movie requires suspension of disbelief that is close to complete abandonment of any sense of reality -- characters who live in the poorest circumstances seem to have all the money they need to buy fake IDs or expensive tickets. Students who get good grades never seem to do any homework or have any books in their backpacks. A teenager with a baby never has a problem with child care. Still, no one goes to this movie to gain great insights about the human condition. It is nowhere near Grease or Flashdance in style, soundtrack, or dance, but it may appeal to teens who see it as one big music video.
Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures, Director: Thomas Carter
Run time: 112 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/12/2001
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language, sexual references, and violence
Run time: 112 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/12/2001
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language, sexual references, and violence
Our Members Say
See all 5 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
-
I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
Predictable teen movie is a simple flick
-
I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Negative role models
A wonderful Blue Blood and Blue Gum movie for our wonderful teenagers who grew up with not only MTV, but also The Disney Channel, which has been infiltrated by some nice Jewish chaps that wouldn't let their daughters marry a black man unless his life was wallet was in jeopardy. Double standards.
-
I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
4 11 and up great movie
this movie was good and the message was great. it was u can still be ill and do your best. the language was deep with 2 f-bombs, but i got 2 see it cause the message was great.this movie is for 11 and up
-
I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
This has been my favorite movie for the past 10 years!
-
I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
Have you seen it?
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
