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'Save the Last Dance' is the kind of movie that teenage
dreams are made of. Teenage girls dreams that is. It's almost
as if it came straight from their diary and knew what they
were looking for, and who they were looking for. But more
than that the film is such that you do not need to be a
teenage girl to enjoy it. It's a smart, thoughtful, and
different journey into teenage life.***
Sara Johnson (Julia Stiles) has big dreams of being
a ballerina. Those dreams are put on hold when her mother
unfortunately passes away on the way to seeing one of her
judges meetings. She must move to the gritty South Side
of Chicago with her jazz musician father. She still has
not forgiven him for the past. They barely speak and there
is a lot of unresolved issues between the two of them.***
She enters into a school where she is one of few white
students. She is befriended by Chenille (Kerry Washington)
and soon falls for her brother Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas)
and a relationship grows. One of romance, love for dance,
and mutual respect. It is not as peachy and easy as it seems
though. Their bi-racial relationship is causing rifts between
her and everyone at school, not to mention Derek's sister.***
The film tackles these issues in a smart, thoughtful,
and intelligent way. A lot of problems that occur with them
would really occur. It is not simply to move along the plot.
These teenagers also have a lot more depth than you would
get in a lot of teenage romances. They all have thoughts,
dreams, opinions, and a whole lot to say. They are not cardboard
cut-outs.***
The film is also gorgeously shot in Chicago. It has
a romantic and really night time feel to it. All the scenes
with Thomas and Stiles are not only romantic and sweet,
they are great to watch. The chemistry between them is real
and it is clearly visible through the screen. Washington
is also very strong as the headstrong but caring sister,
who has a child of her own to deal with.***
The dance scenes are breathtaking to view. The work
the actors put into it is easily seen.***
Image & Sound:
The DVD transfer does the film and Chicago itself justice.
The original bare-bones DVD was grainy and hard to watch.
This is a large improvement. It is simply gorgeous.
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