Dance With Me (1998)

"Two thumbs up!  Siskel & Ebert
"...full of sexual heat...sexy, vulnerable, innocent, smoldering, sweet...  Bonnie Britton, Indianapolis Star

Editor's Note Rafael Infante (Chayanne), a Cuban native who never met his real father, immigrates to America. Taking up residence in Houston, he begins searching for his illegitimate father and takes up employment as a superintendent at the world renowned Excelsior Dance Studio run by John Burnett (Kris Kristofferson). While working as a lowly handyman, Rafael meets Ruby (Vanessa Williams), a striking dancer. Together they enter into the Las Vegas World Open Dance competition and embark in a heated romance. DANCE WITH ME is a warm heartfelt film. It exhibits Randa Haines' knack for suspenseful, romantic storytelling (she worked as a director on HILL STREET BLUES in the early 1980s). Kris Kristofferson departs from his standard role of grit-iron tough guy to play the effeminate dance instructor. Chayanne is striking and dapper. He demonstrates that dancing is both a sexy art form and a mode of expression for confident and empowered men.

	Chayanne
	Jane Krakowski
	Joan Plowright
	Vanessa L. Williams
	Fred Murphy - Cinematographer
	Randa Haines - Director
	Michael Convertino - Musical Score
	Lauren C. Weissman - Producer
	Daryl Matthews - Writer

Sight and Sound
"...Exhilarating..." 05/??/1999 p.44

Entertainment Weekly
"...The sight of these two cavorting to effervescent tropical tunes is [worth the price]..." 01/22/1999 p.110

USA Today
"...Colorful and kinetically edited musical numbers..." 08/21/1998 p.3E

Box Office
"...It's a heartwarming tale, and the music's infectious beat gets audiences dancing in their seats..." 10/01/1998 p.54

Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide 7 of 10
Appealing cast and terrific dance sequences--including a knockout at a Latin dance club--give this life, and Plowright steals most of her scenes as a matronly but enthusiastic student.