reviewed by: Stephanie Vale
             

When Katey Miller (Romala Garai)s parents announce that they are moving the family to Havana, Cuba for her fathers job, she is a little less than thrilled. In fact she refuses to even speak to her family for a few days, giving them the famous silent treatment.  What 18 year-old would be thrilled at having to leave behind their school, friends, and familiar surroundings to move to a country that is on the brink of a revolution?! Bookish and shy A-student Katey arrives in Havana where her innate curiosity comes alive as she becomes entranced by all the new sights and things around her.  She resolutely decides to try and make the best of her new home and soon is pulled into life in Havana.  Although she is a bit quiet and standoffish to the other students at first (children of the smart set: from the other well-to-do families staying at the Oceana Hotel), she soon catches the eye of one of the boys: her fathers boss's son, James Phelps (Jonathan Jackson).

He becomes interested in her beauty and brains (as she shows up the other students in class) and begins to pursue her while their mothers stand by encouraging.  One night as they are out on the town, Katey is completely put off by his snobbish manner and the way he looks down on the native Cubans and treats them like lowly servants. It is a local Cuban boy who works at the hotel, Javier Suarez (Diego Luna), who sparks her interest when by chance she happens to see him dancing in the streets of Havana. She is wide-eyed at the Latin steps, moving with a fluid rhythm and sensual grace like she has never seen anyone dance before.  

Katey soon tries to emulate the Latin influenced dance that she sees at the local nightclub without much success. When it comes to the foxtrot, waltz, or other popular dances of the 1950s Katey knows every step but knows nothing about Latin dance. Patrick Swayze makes a cameo appearance in the film as a dance instructor at the Oceana Hotel: choice moments that the viewing audience went crazy over! Katey's parents are retired Ballroom Dance Champions and are completely unaware of their daughters growing rebellion, believing she is spending her days and nights out with the parent-approved James. Instead Katey is spending every moment she can with Javier: but he is about to show her that she knows nothing about moving her body to the beat of the music.  And as the revolution in Cuba swells on and their passion begins to grow 

There is some language in this film: a few mild abuses of the Lords name and a few swear words, not too much. There is some violence when the Cuban police break up a party and a few times where people brandish a gun and threaten others. Many scenes at a Havana nightclub: the dancing often shows the guy putting his hands all over his partner as they are dancing. There is some passionate kissing in a beach tent (the couple lie back out of camera range) and a morning after type scene on the beach but nothing too graphic. One dance practice takes place on the beach and in the water. A woman slaps another in the face and a guy tries to force his  unwanted attentions on a girl (she stops him). Be aware though, that the entire tone of the film is very sexual, and is all about moving your body to the Latin rhythm with your dance partner.   

From the great Latin music to the beautiful (though sometimes too sexual) dancing, this film is worth the watch if you can handle the over tones (I would definitely not take any little ones along).  The love story between Katey and Javier is sweet and touching and enough reason alone to give this film a go. 

Editor's Comments:

A movie like this is bound to be controversial, particularly among Christian viewers... and it should be considered seriously. Much Latin dancing is perceived as immoral because of the close contact between the dancers; that kind of intimacy, in my opinion, should be reserved for married couples. However, this film is very engaging, sweet, and a whole lot of fun. I haven't found such enjoyment in a theatre since The Princess Diaries was playing. The characters are well developed, the storyline is interesting without falling into predictable territory, and the acting is very good. Not to mention the dancing -- it's just gorgeous. 

There were only two occasions when I found anything highly "improper" in it. One is when Katie and James enter the Latino club; there are several Cuban couples engaged in rather frisky dances, much more sexual in nature than Katie and Javier's ever get. (However, he does make a habit of running his hands up the outside of her leg, and once "stroking" down her chest; the first several times she pushes him away in protest, but lets him during the dance competition.) I was expecting much "dirtier" dancing and instead found a surprising love story with a charming premise and bittersweet ending.