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Save the Last Dance

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Save the Last Dance

PG-13

Released Jan 12, 2001

1h 48m

Romance

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

100 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Formulaic teen romance with an MTV spin.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 28, 2010

Full Review

Time Out

As teen melodrama, well, Carter's film is what it is; but for such a mainstream black-consciousness movie, at least it doesn't shy from addressing some touchy issues about masculinity, parenthood, and black attitudes to whites.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Kimberley Jones

Austin Chronicle

To the film's credit, it tries, and while it never really sings, it does deliver the dance.

Rated: 2.5/5

Mar 10, 2003

Full Review

Tatiana Albandos

Medium Popcorn

This is a reflection of the early 2000s. If this was released now it would have been a mess but it does what it's supposed to, which is to give us fun dance scenes and slightly over-the-top performances. It's a decent film.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 10, 2022

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Tony Black

Cultural Conversation

A hip, hopeful MTV romance.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 8, 2021

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

A solid dance-themed movie, with acting of a slightly higher calibre than the genre usually demands.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 2, 2020

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thiago s

Filme ruim, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajudou a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom, eu não recomendo esse filme.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/11/25

Full Review

Ember B

I love classic movie of this. i highly recommended.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/21/25

Full Review

Joshua m

Good acting, ballet and music. It does have some clichés which is hard to overlook but overall I enjoyed the film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

Full Review

alan g

Just another excuse for interracial soft core porn. Waste of Julia Styles.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/01/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Thinking it would be like Step Up but turned out to be more of a drama

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/19/24

Full Review

SkyRo P

I find it puzzling that this movie received negative reviews from critics and failed to resonate with the general public because, in my opinion, it is a classic film that grows on you over time. Personally, I found this film thoroughly enjoyable and would rate it 100%. While some may perceive it as slow-paced at times, I believe that the pacing effectively builds tension and delivers a gratifying experience from start to finish. I highly recommend giving this film a chance. Julia Stiles delivers an outstanding performance, showcasing her talent as an actress. It's unfortunate that her presence in the limelight has diminished, as she excels in this particular role. While some may not find the storyline as compelling as I did, I believe it is worth giving it a shot and forming your own opinion.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/12/24

Full Review

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Thomas Carter

Director

Julia Stiles

Sara Johnson

Sean Patrick Thomas

Derek Reynolds

Kerry Washington

Chenille Reynolds

Fredro Starr

Malakai

Terry Kinney

Roy

Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - The Big Audition

2:13

Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - Let's Just Walk Away

1:47

Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - It Ain't Over

2:12

Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - Maybe We Should Cool It

2:09

Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - I Don't Hate You, I Miss Her

1:58

Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - Brady Bunch in the Club

1:44

Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - Truman Capote Debate

2:12

Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - I Was Dancing While She Was Dying

2:00

Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - Lesson One

2:13

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Thomas Carter
Producer: Robert W. Cort, David Madden
Screenwriter: Duane Adler, Duane Adler, Cheryl Edwards
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: MTV Films, Paramount Pictures International, Cort/Madden Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 12, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $91.0M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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