Save the Last Dance

2001

Save the Last Dance

Critics Consensus

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

52%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 98

59%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 31,845,749
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Save the Last Dance Photos

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Movie Info

A 17-year-old high-school student sets her sights on being a professional ballerina, but she has to put her plans on hold when her mother is killed in a car accident and she is forced to move to her father's bleak Chicago neighborhood. Intimidated by inner-city life, she turns to the clubs for refuge, where she meets a young black man who shares her love for dancing. As their mutual respect evolves, they soon discover that peer pressure is a more formidable obstacle to romance than differences in race or class.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for violence, sexual content, language and brief drug references)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Romance
  • Directed By:
    Thomas Carter
  • Written By:
    Duane Adler
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $90,696,166
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Paramount Pictures

Cast

Julia Stiles
as Sara
Sean Patrick Thomas
as Derek
Kerry Washington
as Chenille
Fredro Starr
as Malakai
Terry Kinney
as Roy
Bianca Lawson
as Nikki
Vince Green
as Snookie
Garland Whitt
as Kenny
Dorothy Martin
as Momma Dean
Cory S. Stewart
as Lip
Jennifer Anglin
as Glynn
Elisabeth Oas
as Diggy
Artel Jarod Walker
as Arvel
Kim Tlusty
as Lindsay
Felicia Fields
as Woman on Train
Ora Jones
as Mrs. Gwynn
Tab Baker
as Mr. Campbell
Kevin Reid
as Wonk
Andrew Rothenberg
as Stern Judge
Mekdes Bruk
as Lakisha
Ronald Ray
as Stepps Slacker
Tai'isah Davis
as Tiffnee
Karimah Westbrook
as Alyssa
Erica Hubbard
as Jasmine
Richmond Talauega
as Stepps Dancer
Whitney Powell
as Toni
Brenda Pickleman
as Older Disgusted Woman
Julie Greenberg
as Gymnastics Teacher
Anna Paskevska
as Ballet Instructor
Malaika Paul
as Basketball Player
Jennifer Echols
as Lavatory Girl
Ellie Weingardt
as Ballet Judge's Assistant
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News & Interviews for Save the Last Dance

Total Recall: It’s a Dance Dance Revolution
Mary Elizabeth Winstead Set to "Make It Happen" In Burlesque Flick
Critical Consensus: A Brave New "World," A "Step" Down, And No Screenings for "Pulse" and "Zoom"
View All

Critic Reviews for Save the Last Dance

All Critics (98) | Top Critics (32) | Fresh (51) | Rotten (47)

View All Critic Reviews (98)

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
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