Save the Last Dance

2001, Comedy/Romance, 1h 48m

101 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

This teen romance flick feels like a predictable rehashing of other movies. Read critic reviews

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Save the Last Dance Photos

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Movie Info

Sara (Julia Stiles) is moved from a small Midwestern town to the south side of Chicago when her mother dies in a car accident, and must live with her father. She soon falls for an African American teenager (Sean Patrick Thomas) at her new high school and he has less than an idyllic past. They share a love for dance (ballet and hip hop respectively) and together they tackle the problems that go with an interracial relationship.
  • Rating:
    PG-13
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Romance, Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Thomas Carter
  • Producer:
    Robert W. Cort, David Madden
  • Writer:
    Duane Adler, Duane Adler, Cheryl Edwards
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $91.0M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Paramount Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Julia Stiles
Sara Johnson
Sean Patrick Thomas
Derek Reynolds
Kerry Washington
Chenille Reynolds
Fredro Starr
Malakai
Terry Kinney
Roy
Bianca Lawson
Nikki
Vince Green
Snookie
Garland Whitt
Kenny
Mekdes Bruk
Lakisha
Thomas Carter
Director
Duane Adler
Writer
Duane Adler
Screenwriter
Cheryl Edwards
Screenwriter
Marie Cantin
Co-Producer
Robert W. Cort
Producer
Douglas Curtis
Co-Producer
Douglas Curtis
Line Producer
David Madden
Producer
Mark Isham
Original Music
Robbie Greenberg
Cinematography
Peter Berger
Film Editing
Avy Kaufman
Casting
Paul Eads
Production Design
Diane Hughes
Art Director
Tricia Schneider
Set Decoration
Sandra Hernandez
Costume Design
Claudia Moser
Key Makeup Artist
Lun Yé Marsh
Key Hair Stylist
Daniel Dugan
Unit Production Manager
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Save the Last Dance

All Critics (101) | Top Critics (37) | Fresh (54) | Rotten (47)
Full Review… Nell Minow Common Sense Media Full Review… Kimberley Jones Austin Chronicle Full Review… Liam Lacey Globe and Mail Full Review… Michael Thomson BBC.com Full Review… Colin Kennedy Empire Magazine Full Review… Peter Travers Rolling Stone Full Review… Tatiana Albandos Medium Popcorn Full Review… Tony Black Cultural Conversation Full Review… Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Full Review… Brandon Collins Medium Popcorn Full Review… Stacie Hougland Hollywood.com Full Review… Susannah Breslin Film Threat
View All Critic Reviews (101)

Audience Reviews for Save the Last Dance

  • Sep 16, 2010
    I just liked the onscreen chemistry between the two main protagonists. After watching this I felt that anything is possible, never give up, work hard, cheerish the good times, and when you have a good friend to give a strong boost HELLO! good to go. A decent teen picture from my era.
    Brian R Super Reviewer
  • Nov 28, 2009
    I just found this to be extremely predictable and cheesy. It was an obvious attempt at a modern fairytale, in which the main character pursues her dream. The acting is extremely bad and alarmingly moody. I just felt there was no reason to enjoy this movie.
    Conner R Super Reviewer
  • Jun 30, 2009
    This dramatic film also won MTV's Movie Awards Best Kiss honors for the kiss in the discreetly-filmed, inter-racial love scene between two Chicago dancers: 17 year-old would-be Julliard ballerina Sarah Johnson (Julia Stiles) and inner city black high school African-American student and hip-hopper Derek Reynolds (Sean Patrick Thomas)
    Arianeta L Super Reviewer
  • May 24, 2009
    A classic in it's own way.
    Jennifer D Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

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