Customer Reviews

Dirty Dancing - Havana Nights [VHS]

5 star:		(83)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

17-year old Katey (Romola Garai) and her wealthy family have moved to Havana in 1958 and are living in a first-class hotel. Katey accidentally causes a young Cuban waiter (Diego Luna) to lose his job; there is a mutual attraction, and they share a love of dancing. They prepare for the big Latin dance contest, but Castro's revolution is about to change everything.

Diego Luna, who was so charming in Y Tu Mama Tambien, gets five stars from me. Here he is sweet and very likeable, a terrific dancer, and oozes teenage appeal. Co-star Romola Garai is fine, too, and the Cuban music and dance scenes are appropriately steamy. The script and the photography earn three stars, however. The story tries to balance youthful flirtation with the serious theme of political revolution. Two movies could have been made, but one seems unconnected and somewhat shallow. The whole movie was filmed in very dim lighting, even in sunlight, giving it a B-movie look.

But Havana Nights is a pleasant movie with an appealing star, and I recommend it to those who like Cuban music, dancing, and teen romance.

I didn't think I would like this one better than the original. The original is a classic-- the perfect 80s movie, but the new one is so much more sensual and emotional. My only complaint is that it ended much too quickly, without much closure for the audience, but otherwise this film is a joy to watch.

Katie (Romola Garai) has just moved to pre-revolution Cuba. She's a total bookworm, but when she meets hotel waiter Javier (the marvelous Diego Luna) she's completely swept away. The basic story follows that of the original-- she doesn't know how to "feel" the music, her parents dissaprove of the guy she likes, preferring her to date the guy she hates.

The cinematography is impressive, and the colors are amazing-- lots of reds and oranges. It's so picturesque. The performances were great, the dancing was wonderful (although I don't think the dancing was necessarily dirty, it was much more beautiful and sensual than the dancing in the original). I really like that Patrick Swayze makes an appearance as a dance instructor. His limited screen time is awesome.

Definitely check this one out. If your a fan of the original, don't snub this one, you may like it better. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights is the story of a young woman's discoveries about life and love in Havana during the Cuban revolution. The plot is well-worn and predictable, but Diego Luna and Romola Garai do a great job as Javier and Katey. The dancing is part of what drew me to this film...and I wasn't disappointed. The dancing is exciting and crowd-pleasing. It seems hard to believe that Luna and Garai had no dancing training prior to the film. Corny duologue down-graded some of the most meaningful or intimate scenes of the movie, and these parts of the film would have been better if the characters had not spoken at all instead of delivering cliqued lines. Overall, though, the film was enjoyable and fun. Two thumbs up!

I rented this movie for two reasons, to see Diego Luna in something other than Open Range with Kevin Costner, and mostly because I love ballroom dancing, especially anything latin. I wasn't disappointed. I bought the movie right away afterwards and have watched it over and over. The music was great and Diego was absolutely delightful, what a sexy little bugger, who wouldn't want someone like that dancing you across the floor and anywhere else he wanted to take you. In the special features he talks about how excited he got when he finally learned the dance steps and you can see that joy all over his face in the one special scene. For the most part the whole movie is great. The ending is a little weak and that was the only disappointment. I highly recommend this one if you want to get sweeped away in music and dance.

Despite all of the bad reviews that 'Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights' received, I watched it anyway. I've always sort of had a place in my heart for Latin music, dancing, and a fascination with other cultures. I thought that a new version might give the '80s original new life. I loved every moment of the film.

Yes, some of the dialogue was corny, and yes, some of the plot was lame. But in light of these vices, I found the performances from the two leads excellent! Luna's first English film was great, and so different than 'Y Tu Mama Tambien.'

The music is incredible. The dancing is tantric. The culture and atmosphere is steamy. Overall: a very hot movie!

When Katey Miller (Romala Garai)'s parents announce that they are moving the family to Havana, Cuba for her father's 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 father's 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, but without much success. When it comes to the foxtrot, waltz, or other popular dances of the 1950's, Katey knows every step, but she 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 daughter's 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...

Content: For those of you worried about taking your kids: There is some language: a few uses of the Lord's 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. Scenes at a Havana nightclub: the dancing often shows the guy putting his hands all over his partner as they are dancing: very sensual and sexual. There is some passionate kissing, and a scene that shows a "morning after" type scene, but there is nothing too graphic. There is dance practice on the beach and in the water, a woman slapping another in the face, a guy giving his unwanted attentions to a girl (mostly kissing, it stops in time). 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 dancing, this film is worth the watch (although 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!

No, I didn't see this movie for the dancing, or to scope out Romola Garai. I didn't even go to give a critical analysis of the depiction of Cuba on the fateful New Year's Eve 1958, even though the film's full theatrical title is: "Dirty Dancing Havana Nights Based On True Events".

None of that. I went because it's "Dirty Dancing". I saw the original in the theater when I was 13, just days after falling in love with a young blonde from Queens named Veronica, who I met a a Catskills resort nothing at all like Kellerman's. I felt kinship with Baby, even though the only person who forbade my romance was Veronica herself, tragically into older men. And now I wanted to see the followup, filmed in the same Old San Juan where I got engaged this winter.

"Dirty Dancing" and I matured together. Over time I watched it blossom into a pop culture camp classic. Who here of a certain age doesn't instinctively break into giggles upon hearing "Nobody puts Baby in the corner"?

"Havana Nights" brings out the big movie guns in an attempt to recapture the magic of the original. This is a Miramax film, so you know Harvey Weinstein was putting in the late nights helping polish the rough cut into a theatrical diamond. Lawrence Bender, who made his bones on the early Tarantino epics, produced. Mya Harrison and Heather Headley both show up for star vocal turns.

And, of course, Patrick Swayze is back. He is billed only as "Dance Class Instructor". He appears in only two scenes (probably shot the same morning) and applauds and whistles in a couple of reaction-shot inserts, quite possibly filmed in his home, months after production wrapped. But we all know who he is supposed to be. Welcome back, Johnny Castle!

Swayze was in his early-to-mid 30s when the first "Dirty" came out. Now he is 51, and playing the same character... but this movie set five years before the original. He has aged remarkably well. And this may create a market for Swayze power cameos in remakes of his earlier classics. Who wouldn't relish the return of Dalton in "Road House Manitoba"? Who doesn't want to see Swayze counseling "Los Angeles Ghost"? The possibilities are endless.

"Havana Nights" gives you exactly what you would expect. There's romance, attractive scantily-clad young people, a performance by Sela Ward modeled closely after Jerry Orbach's in the original, a smattering of social history, and a hip-swinging soundtrack. I doubt this movie will soar to the pop-culture heights of the original: the soundtrack is lighter and the dialogue can't have much impact until it, too, has survived a thousand airings on VH1.

What intrigues is the change of focus. "Dirty Dancing" was about a girl raised on ballroom dancing who wanted to get sensual. "Havana Nights" is about a dirty dancing boy who wants to learn ballroom. If, in five years, ballroom dancing has reclaimed the pop culture, we will be able to thank "Havana Nights", and Patrick Swayze will once again be at the center of it all.

Set in the late 1950s against a lush Cuban backdrop, "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" follows the story of Katey, a young and socially awkward American who moves to Havana, which teeters on the edge of Castro's revolution. Amidst country clubs, pool-side cattiness from socialites, and adjusting to her new life, she meets Javier Suarez, a waiter with a passion for dancing and the sole responsibilty of providing for his large family. Immediately drawn to Javier and the world he represents, Katey persuades him to be her partner in the prestigious dance contest at the Palace Hotel. Soon, Katey visits the local club "La Rosa Negra" with him and experiences a side of life and herself that she has never seen before; stealing away day and night to explore both the city and the relationship that they begin to form. As their attraction builds and the contest nears, they both must overcome their fears to dance in the perfect sensual harmony, unknowing that a volcano of revolutionary violence on Havana's streets is about to erupt.

As the fresh-faced Katey, Romola Garai (previously seen in the British hit "I Capture The Castle") brings innocense to the screen, as well as a hindered sensuality that she must discover. As young Javier, Diego Luna (most memorable in "Y Tu Mama Tambien") is a new, smoldering presence in film, with the perfect mix of sex appeal and a frivolous, almost childlike appearance. Although their characters suffer through some awkwardness due to corny bits in the script, Garai and Luna have remarkable chemistry on film.

The backbone to this movie however, is the soundtrack and the dancing, both of which are truly spectacular. It is remarkable to note that neither Luna nor Garai had any dancing training before shooting, as their natural ease makes the choreography irresistable, sensual, and delicious to watch. The soundtrack, with sexy Cuban beats mixed with hip-hop from Wyclef Jean and Mya among others provide a toe-tapping setting, which enhances the experience for the audience.

Although some moments are cliched, corny lines are delivered, and the plot can be predictable, "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" offers so much, that those things can easily be overlooked. From the chemistry onscreen, to the amazing dancing and soundtrack, and the costumes and sets, it creates an entire world of sensuality and personality, that it will delight every moveigoer.

as a die hard dirty dancing fan i was relucant to even watch this film. i finally gave in to persistant whines from my teenage daughter and that was it i was totally hooked!
there isn't one scene in this movie i would even think of fast forwarding.
i loved everything about it, the dancing, the hot soundtrack, the love story and best of all... diego luna!!
where has mexico been hiding him. the film was worth it for him alone.
watch the movie then buy the hot soundtrack. you won't be disappointed.

I loved 'Dirty Dancing Havana Nights'! I've seen the original 'Dirty Dancing' a few times and this one is just as great!
The story is about a young high school girl(Katie) who moves with her family to Cuba in the late 1950's just before the revolution that put Castro in power(her father's job sends them there). She is bookish and shy.
At the hotel where they are staying, she meets a young Cuban waiter with whom she strikes an immediate friendship. Javier(the waiter) is different from other young people she knows and he encourages her to come out of her shyness and be more free and open with herself.
When her friend and sister see the two of them together, they alert the hotel staff and he immediately loses his job for being with her. Katie encourages Javier to enter a latin dance contest with her for the chance at some much needed cash that will be given to the winners. Javier happens to dance like a dream and Katie's family comes from a dance background as well. She feels that with enough practice together, they have a really good chance at winning. Naturally, during the course of practice and performing the two fall sweetly in love and awaken deep feelings in each other.
Diego Luna and Romola Gerai star as the young couple and they are perfectly matched! This was great casting! They have great chemistry and their dancing is fabulous! Diego Luna is gorgeous! What a sexy smile!
The music is incredible and watching 'Havana Nights' made me want to learn to dance! The soundtrack is definitely worth it! 'Dance Like This' is my favorite track, but I love all the songs! I could watch this one over and over!
This was a great production. The costumes, sets, location! All super!
'Dirty Dancing Havana Nights' is great. Definitely worth seeing more than once!