Dirty Dancing 2 Havanah Nights Review

Dirty Dancing Havana Night is sort of a sequel of Dirty Dancing the movie that came out several years ago starring: Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. But in reality the two movies are not really that much a like at all. There are some similarities as the two main characters in this movie come from two different worlds and social standings, and Patrick Swayze does make an appearance in this movie, and of course there is the dancing, and of the course the dancing is sexy and risque, but the setting is in a different time and the circumstances are a bit different. So while the plot has the same basis, the characters and situations are completely different than the original movie.


Several months before the Cuban Revolution takes place; the Millers, an American family is being transferred to Cuba. It is a wonderful career move for Mr. Miller (John Slattery), as the move comes with a promotion. The Mother (Sela Ward) who is a social climber also is happy because they will be living amongst other Americans in a Country Club type atmosphere. The Millers have two daughters. The younger one Susie (Mika Boorem) is not really all that thrown by the move but the older one Katey (Romola Garai) is devastated. Katey who is an excellent student has been moved from her home in the middle of her Senior year of high school. This would be devastating for almost any teenager at their point of their lives.

While Katey and Susie are getting acquainted with some other well to do kids at the country club she accidentally bumps in to a waiter by the name of Javier (Diego Luna) and knocks over an entire tray of drinks. During this altercation one of the other Country Club members that Katey and her sister are getting acquainted with shouts out a racial name at him as well. When Katey hears him being reprimanded she offers to pay for the drinks and attempts to apologize to Javier. Not only for knocking over the drinks but for the name that he was called. Basically he answered by saying, "If you didn't say it then why are you apologizing?"

Without telling the entire story Katey ends up finding out that Javier is an excellent Cuban dancer. Katey also finds herself needing Javier's help more than once to get back to her home, and he is eventually fired for socializing with a member of the country club. Katey feels terrible and when she discovers that there is a Cuban Ballroom dance competition, with a grand prize of $5000 and a trip to America she decides that she needs to help Javier by getting him in the contest and being his partner. Dancing is also in Katey blood, her parents had been dance champions in their youth. They begin practicing together for the competition, and that is all I am going to tell you. 

Like the original Dirty Dancing, this movie is about two people from different social circles sharing a love of dance and a love for each other. Because of the time that the movie is set in there are of course set backs, and hurdles to get over with each of the families and in their separate and mutual environments.

On an unrelated note you may be wondering what Swayze's part was in all of this. Well he plays a dance instructor at the country club. He is basically the one who informs Katey about the dance competition. And in case you're wondering if he dances, he does.


I didn't hear a whole lot about this movie, and frankly didn't know what to expect. Sequels are many times not as good as the originals and since this movie came out several years after the original with an almost entirely new cast (with the exception of Swayze). The only things this movie had in common with the original were the dancing, the romance between two people from different backgrounds and Swayze's being a part of it.

Now with the similarities put aside. We have a movie that stands up very nicely on its own. Luna and Garai had a surprising amount of chemistry between them. I didn't see it at first but once the movie got going and they began feeling each other I have to admit that the dancing got really hot, and I really felt a connection between the two lead characters.

There are of course other things going on in the movie besides dancing and romancing, but these things add nicely to the movie and do not over power the main theme of it. The supporting cast does a nice job as well. Although there are some possible plot twists that were either glossed over or not really brought to the table at all. For instance another character James Phelps (Jonathan Jackson) had an interest in Katey. This obviously made another character in the movie a bit jealous and this did have a repercussion but for the most part that whole possible story line was just glossed over. I can't say I am disappointed though.

While the original Dirty Dancing had a few songs that came out of it that landed on the charts as big hits I don't see that every happening with this movie. Not that the music is not good it is hot and sexey, and primarily of the Salsa variety. Also I find it hard to believe that the music in this movie was actually being played in the late 1950's. I am sure there was Latin dancing and music in the 50's but this music really had a modern flair to it. I liked it but I don't think it was realistic to the era. Fans of Mya will be happy to see her making a singing appearance in Havana Nights.

I really enjoyed this movie. I liked the dancing; I liked the chemistry of the main characters. The plot is not all that original in fact it is probably a bit overdone, but it actually works just fine for this movie. Was it as good as the original? I have to say that since the original Dirty Dancing is one of those movies that stays in my memory and is a bit of classic I would have to say no. But that does not mean that this movie was not good as well. While Dirty Dancing was more controversy and less dancing this one was less Controversy more dancing.

There is some sensuality in the film but it is more implied than actual. So this movie is for the most part safe for children to be in the room while it is playing.

If you like movies that contain hot steamy dancing, and or a nice romance along with some glossed over controversy you would probably like Dirty Dancing Havana Nights. Though I can not go so far as to give this movie a 4 because of the un-realistic for the time music, and for some obvious glossing, I do give it a solid 3, and do recommend it.