Dance With Me

Randa Haines's salsa celebration is like a margarita with no tequila -- it looks good but doesn't have any kick. This formulaic effort could have been decent if it had concentrated on either plot or dancing; instead we get a cookie-cutter story and lame, infrequent dance numbers. Rafael (Puerto Rican singing sensation Chayanne) arrives in Texas from Cuba to work for John, the owner of a dance studio (Kris Kristofferson, who at 63 is making a comeback, though he was much better as a bad guy in Steven Seagal's Fire Down Below). Turns out -- hope I'm not spoiling any surprises here -- Rafael is actually John's son. He ingratiates himself at the studio through nifty interior decorating, fixing his father's old truck (in a Karate Kid-like turn), and wooing local professional Latin dancer Ruby (Vanessa L. Williams). Trouble ensues as John refuses to acknowledge paternity and Ruby runs back to her abusive ex-husband/Latin-dance partner. The movie could be saved at this point if (a) Rafael and John had a violent, unpredictable confrontation, or (b) Rafael stole Ruby away from her bad-ass ex, or (c) Haines dropped the plot and focused on the sexy dancing. Instead, we get (d) no passion and no plot, just a lot of beautiful, talented dancers with intense libidos and not much to show for it. At the Harbour Mall, Opera House, Showcase, and Woonsocket cinemas.

-- Nicholas Patterson