Save the Last Dance (2001)

Sorry, this movie sucks

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Just another Hollywood propaganda movie where all the whites are helpless boring nerds, and the white woman needs to be rescued by the hip, handsome black man. Fortunately, the only white women to fall for this in real life are usually fat or dumb. This movie probably responsible for so much race-mixing (and, by extension, fatherless homes, wife beating, etc.,) I truly believe that the producers of this film ought to be imprisoned. I will never see a movie with Julia Stiles in it again. Hollywood will not stop pumping these stupid movies out. If they're not directly promoting race-mixing, then they are at least promoting the "blacks are so cool and so hip, and whites are just nerds" image. It's just sick.

Okay, okay, okay, I know. It's clichéd and predictable, the writing isn't fantastic (in fact, some of the lines are quite embarrassingly corny) and the acting barely squidges above adequate.But...but...but...I friggin' love this movie. For a dance movie, I've seen a lot worse (Havana Nights, anybody?) and for plot-line, it's not the first of it's kind, but it certainly has an edge to it that keeps you interested, and certainly isn't a pitch lower than other, similar films (8 Mile).The music is a stand out part, it's very, very good throughout, and many of the dancing scenes, particularly Sara's final audition and Derek giving her dancing lessons, are very entertaining and fun to watch. I especially love how believably jerky and unsteady Sara is on her feet during Derek's first lesson, and it really gave it some substance as I could totally imagine myself in that situation, feeling really "dorky" and unsure. It definitely gives the viewer the feeling that it's possible to cross racial "red tape" and attempt things they've never tried before.I think, and I know some other reviewers disagree here, that the racial tension of putting a Caucasian girl into a situation where she is the subject of scorn from African-American individuals is refreshing and interesting to watch. While it's appreciated that Blacks have been oppressed and treated unfairly, it's nice to see a film that takes a look at it from another direction, in this day and age, in this culture and in this generation of students. I think it was also given with a grain of salt (I didn't forget that annoying yappy white girlfriend of Sara's who constantly wants to pray and can't comprehend that Sara might date an African-American.) All in all, I recognise that it's not Citizen Kane or Trainspotting or anything, but it is a guilty little pleasure. It's a fun, relaxing and interesting storyline with characters that you can easily care about, stereotypical though they may be. It's not a perfect model, but if you just want to listen to some great music, watch some amazing choreography, and maybe tear up a little bit, this movie's got all the right moves.

My ex used to absolutely adore this film, and when ever she wanted to watch a film, she always got this one out...So i would come out with "Oh, no, not again" and when she asked what I wanted to watch I'd just say "Oh go on then babe, if it's what you want...!" The thing is I really do like this film, The whole "Kiddie from the Hood Turned Good" thing is a bit old now, but the dancing is just HEAVY! I did performing arts at University and I can appreciate just how hard some of that stuff was to do, and in all honesty, the story isn't all that bad either, if perhaps a little predictable...or a lot predictable! I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I also Don't like some other dance films...Step Up 1 & 2, and Take the Lead are all films that I ..."hate"...ahem...! Honest!

I find many user comments about this movie absolutely ridiculous. Comparing it to real life Julliard? Real ballet? Real anything?! It is a movie, for goodness sakes! It is not supposed to be realistic, or true to life in any way - that is what movies are for, an escape from reality. I think "dance" type people are just trying to prove how much they know about dancing by slamming this film and comparing it to their real-life "experiences". It is a big of entertainment, with a good soundtrack and a predictable yet entertaining plot. Sure, we know what is going to happen. That is why we watch movies like this. Also, I disagree about the bad acting, I think Julia Stiles is a fantastic actress. It is particularly noticeable in this film if you look in the right places. Her awkward dancing at Steps, her embarrassed facial expressions - she does very well conveying real emotion, I think. Sure this film is loaded with stereotypes and predictable as hell, but it is entertaining and with Sean Patrick Thomas shaking his booty, I sure as hell ain't complaining. Relax, people, and appreciate the film for what it is. A fictional movie, not a real-life documentary of dancing and the ghetto.