Dance With Me (HBO)

About Dance With Me (HBO)

"Dance With Me" is a 1998 romantic dance drama film released by HBO. The compelling narrative revolves around the character, Rafael Infante (Chayanne), a Cuban, who travels to Houston, Texas, to meet his deceased mother's friend but finding employment in her dance school. He teams up with a competitive dancer called Ruby Sinclair (Vanessa L. Williams). They develop a strong connection, and Rafael gives the world of ballroom dancing a fresh pulse.

Making / Production

The movie was directed by renowned filmmaker Randa Haines, who has also helmed classics like "Children of Lesser God". It was written by Daryl Matthews, a veteran screenwriter known for marrying intricate narratives with emotionally charged storylines. The film was produced by Lauren Weissman and Ted Hartley.

Actors

• Vanessa L. Williams as Ruby Sinclair: Vanessa did a phenomenal job portraying Ruby's vulnerable yet strong character. Her dancing finesse was as much on display as her acting prowess.
• Chayanne as Rafael Infante: Chayanne gave an impressive performance portraying Rafael's love for dance and hunger for true connection.
• Kris Kristofferson as John Burnett: Kris convincingly portrayed the character of John, a former dance champion and Ruby's dance partner, gallantly representing a man in the twilight of his career.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• "Dance With Me" featured real-life dance champions in smaller roles and extras, to elevate the authenticity of dance sequences.
• Chayanne, who portrayed Rafael Infante, is a successful Latin Pop singer from Puerto Rico.
• The movie was shot in a real dance studio in Houston, Texas.

Awards

The movie, although not winning, was nominated for ALMA Awards in categories like Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film for Vanessa L. Williams and Outstanding Feature Film.

Quotes

• "Dance is a very powerful weapon, Rafael."
• "If you take life lightly, with courage and grace, it will follow in the same way."

Music and Soundtrack

• The title song "You Are My Home", a duet by Chayanne and Vanessa L. Williams, became a popular hit.
• The score has a variety of Latin music that effectively underlines the movie's cultural texture and propels the film's emotional narrative.
• Swing music is plentiful, adding a retro touch to the contemporary storytelling.