- Actors: Julia Stiles, Sean Patrick Thomas, Kerry Washington, Fredro Starr, Terry Kinney
- Directors: Thomas Carter
- Writers: Cheryl Edwards, Duane Adler
- Producers: David Madden, Douglas Curtis, Marie Cantin, Robert W. Cort, Scarlett Lacey
- Language English
- Classification: 12
- Studio: Paramount
- VHS Release Date: 4 Mar 2002
- Run Time: 112 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00005V8UE
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 9,000 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Save the Last Dance enjoyed a profitable release in early 2001, with box-office earnings that exceeded anyone's expectations. Its performance illustrates the staying power of a formulaic film that avoids the pitfalls and clichés that would otherwise render it forgettable. Since there's nothing new here, you'll appreciate the original quirks in a character-based plot that's just around the corner from Flashdance, and just as familiar. Sara (Julia Stiles) gave up a promising ballet career when her mother was killed while rushing to attend her daughter's crucial audition to Juilliard; Sara blames herself for the accident, and at her new, mostly African-American high school in Chicago, she's uncertain of her future.
Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas) has no such doubts; his own future is bright, and his attraction to Sara is immediate; they connect (predictably), and Sara's dormant funk emerges, with Derek's coaching, as she learns hip-hop dancing in a local club. Obligatory subplots are equally routine: Derek's sister (Kerry Washington) is a single mom struggling with her child's absentee father; Derek's best friend (Fredro Starr) feels trapped in his gangster lifestyle; and Sara's once-estranged father (Terry Kinney) is doing his best to correct past mistakes. Within the confines of this standard follow-your-dream drama, director Thomas Carter capitalises on a script that allows these characters to be real, intelligent, and thoughtful about their lives and their futures. It's obvious that Stiles's dancing was intercut with that of a professional double, but that illusion hardly matters when the rest of the film's so earnestly positive and genuine. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
From the Back Cover
Sara (Julia Stiles) is a small town girl with a big dream: to become a world class ballerina. But when her mother suddenly dies, Sara must abandon her plans and join her estranged father (Terry Kinney) on Chicago's gritty South Side. A white girl in a predominantly black neighbourhood, Sara feels out of place - until she is befriended by a black classmate, Chenille (Kerry Washington), and her handsome brother, Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas). Sparks fly between Sara and Derek, whose shared love for dance leads to romance. But as Sara and Derek's relationship grows, so does opposition from their families and friends. Now Sara and Derek face the biggest challenge of their young lives - to stay true to their dreams....and each other.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I have to say how surprised I was after I had finished watching this film, I honestly did not expect it to be as good as it was! It's a classic formula of girl meets guy, guy helps girl through hard time but will it end happily ever after?! There are a couple of crucial moments in the film when you know it could all go completely wrong and end tragically but you'll have to watch it for yourself to see what does actually happen! The film reminded me a lot of Dirty Dancing and Flashdance but it's unique in it's own way and the portrayal of the street gangs and the shootings was scarily all too realistic.
Both Julia Stiles (Ten Things I hate about you) and Sean Patrick Thomas (Cruel Intentions) are fantastic though the film also introduces some great new talent: 'Chenille' played by Kerry Washington is one of my favourite characters of the film.
The music in the film is great too and is not as dominantly hip hop as you might expect so when you've bought the film, you can buy the soundtrack too! Enjoy!
Both Julia Stiles (Ten Things I hate about you) and Sean Patrick Thomas (Cruel Intentions) are fantastic though the film also introduces some great new talent: 'Chenille' played by Kerry Washington is one of my favourite characters of the film.
The music in the film is great too and is not as dominantly hip hop as you might expect so when you've bought the film, you can buy the soundtrack too! Enjoy!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have had this dvd sitting on my shelf for about a year. The other night i decided to watch it and i have to say it is fantastic. The storyline is really true to life with brilliant characters and a great soundtrack. It tells a story of a girl named sara who has a dream of getting into dance school to study ballet. Her mother is killed on the way to sara's audition so she has to go to live with her estranged father in an all black community in a rough area of chicago. She is befriended by a girl named Chenille. Sara quickly falls for Chenille's brother Derek who introduces her to the world of hip hop. They have a good relationship but find that they are constantly trying to justify a white girl/black man relationship. The film also addresses the gangster gun culture with Derek's best friend Malakai trying to gain 'respect' in an east side/west side storyline. I really enjoyed this film and since watching it have watched it again about 5 times. I would definitly recommend it and the fact that Sean Patrick Thomas is HOT doesn't hurt either.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
(Review by teenager) - This film has such a sad start, the you feel sorry for he young girl and find that you hope her life will improve. The cast chosen work well together and Sean Patrick Thomas is a great leading male role. His character is so easy to warm to. The film overall is great! The hip-hop music grows on the viewer, even if they have never liked that kind of music in the past, by the end, everyone will be moving to it! The full on drama is well mixed with music and teenage romance, and their are some funny bits as well, just enough to keep you happy, without going overboard.
I would advise anyone, who has ever had a dream, to watch this movie. I didn't think I would like it, but how wrong I was. This film is a lovely, heart warming story with characters that you can believe in. Only some, like Sean Patrick Thomas' character don't really exist! Another great Julia Stiles classic to add to your collection...
I would advise anyone, who has ever had a dream, to watch this movie. I didn't think I would like it, but how wrong I was. This film is a lovely, heart warming story with characters that you can believe in. Only some, like Sean Patrick Thomas' character don't really exist! Another great Julia Stiles classic to add to your collection...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Brilliant
This is my favourite film. Even though it comes on television very often, I still felt the need to purchase this DVD and add it to my collection. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Doyinsola Faluyi
Yomi's review
Save the last dance!!! This is one of the best movie I have seen in years. Everything-characters,scenes,setting is perfect. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Yomi
Save the Last Dance
Purchased 3 days before leaving the country and it arrived in time in excellent condition. Recommended seller. Brilliant film too!
Published on 25 Jan 2010 by V. Hammond
not a bad viewing
Everyone had gone on about this film for years telling me how brilliant it was so I decided I'd beter watch it! Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2008 by Ms. F. I. Macdonald
All dance films seem to follow the exact same formula, but this one...
I think the title pretty much sums up what I'm going to say in this review. I finally got around to watching 'Save the Last Dance', becoming quite tired of the 'How can you not... Read more
Published on 30 Sep 2008 by Marlyly
Predictable, but well done throughout
This film sees Julia Stiles in her normal earlier film role, the talented yet somewhat reserved character who hides either a striking beauty or inner talent that is reluctantly... Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2008 by Malcolm Clarke
Well worth a fiver
It’s a cheesy rip-off of just about every US dance-orientated teen film, cheaply made with some terrible acting, but Julia Styles turns Save the Last Dance into a piece of... Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2006 by Neb
Surprisingly nice
To be honest, I didn't expect this film to be anything special but it's surprisingly heartwarming and nice. Read more
Published on 7 Feb 2006
I LOVED IT, BUT * * *
"Save the Last Dance" tries to squeeze inner city violence, single parenthood and unresolved guilt feelings into a story about a teenage, ex-ballerina who finds a new energy when... Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2005 by F. Sweet
A fantastic movie
I was surprised by this movie, as I really enjoyed it! I thought being mainly hip hop based that I wouldn't be able to really get into it, but I did! Read more
Published on 2 Aug 2004
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