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46 of 48 found the following review helpful:
Great showcase for Diego LunaFeb 27, 2004
By Kona
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.
20 of 21 found the following review helpful:
Better Than The OriginalAug 04, 2004
By Ashley Quinn
"Ash"
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!!!
10 of 10 found the following review helpful:
What this movie loses in plot it makes up in dancingFeb 28, 2004
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!
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
 A great Latin remake of the original film!Apr 13, 2004
By randomartco
"period film aficionado"
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!
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
 If you love latin ballroom/dirty dancing you'll love thisSep 15, 2004
By Toni Shutt
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.
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