Save the Last Dance (PG-13, 2001)

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.

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.

Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Thomas Carter
Cast: Julia Stiles, Kerry Washington, Sean Patrick Thomas
Genre: Drama
Run time: 112 minutes
Theatrical release: January 12, 2001
DVD release: June 19, 2001
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: violence, sexual content, language and brief drug references