There were high expectations for this film. The studio PR people made a big fuss about how Williams' co-star, the man of the one-syllable name (like Madonna), grew up watching US westerns and just knew, in his heart of hearts, that one day he would be a big star on the big screen. Well yes ... and no. Chayanne's career sort of fizzled after this film, and the film itself has sort of disappeared into 1000s of DVD libraries around the globe. If you are dance fan, it is for you. And if you are a Vanessa Williams' fan, it is for you too. Not to over-state the obvious, but there are those reviewers on the IMDb who have opined that Williams may be one of the most beautiful women of her century (a statement bound to make female readers bristle and reach for a mirror) and this could actually be true. She was striking when she won ("sort of" won) her pageant, and, like someone in a sci-fi flick with a magic mirror in the attic, her face seems to have improved with age. For fanboys, this otherwise forgettable film may be the last chance to see her at her best, and that by itself is enough reason to consider this for your collection.

There is no question about the way the film ends, there was no suspense at all involved in this film, no imagination used in any aspect. The Story was poorly written, the acting was poorly directed, the actors were poorly chosen and the entire film made me feel like I should hate the person who forced me to sit through this overdone waste of time. It was just awful in every way. There was nothing good about this film. It was a formula film with all expected parts. I feel as though I have been violated and that exaggeration is the only form of recourse here, as an effort to ensure no one else suffers through this film. Endlessly scrubbing dirt off of a mud patch would be a better way to spend the afternoon.

I recall seeing 'Saturday Night Fever' (talk about your clichéd movie plots!) and leaving the theater with nothing but the dancing of John Travolta on my mind. That movie was a huge hit, the music was terrific, and to my mind, it made John Travolta a star.This movie gives me the same feeling. Why was it not a similar hit?I've watched it scores of times. Chayanne and Vanessa Williams have credible chemistry on-screen and the plot, although kind of standard, is interesting enough to carry the action.In particular, I always come back to this movie to watch the dancing. It is simply spectacular. The scene where Chayanne and Vanessa Williams' characters reach a kind of truce because they love to dance and like each other - so they go on a second date - is simply amazing. They arrive at the nightclub where they had a failed first date and the crowd parts to let them in to a kind of Latin musical dance fest where the music doesn't seem to stop long enough for anyone to sit down and catch a breath. They are immediately caught up in the swirl and almost as soon, they part and go off in different directions, passing each other, picking up different partners and having a wonderful time to the fantastic music. The scene is not about them, it's about the crowd and the sheer joy of dancing to Latin music - which in this case is not sultry and sensuous one-to-one dancing but an all-out bacchanalia of multiple partners and a pounding beat. Wonderful, wonderful!Everything about this film feels so natural and relaxed. It's like a breath of fresh air. It's not fair to compare it to 'Strictly Ballroom' directed by Baz Luhrmann. I love his movies but I appreciate them for being grand operatic extravaganzas. 'Strictly Ballroom' was certainly that. 'Dance with Me' will always be one of my favorite movies and now I've got a crush on Chayanne that just won't quit.

What a pleasure to discover an internationally acclaimed Latino performer, Chayanne, totally by accident! While DWM has flaws that have been pointed out in other reviews, (I voted "10" for the experience) for me it was primarily a time of joy and delight as I experienced an honest, exciting performance by a young man I might not have otherwise known. Chayanne's sincerity, passion for life, and ability to respond truthfully to his cast mates were evident throughout the film (not so hard on the eyes either!). Since viewing DWM, I've found his music (dozens of gold and platinum albums in the international community) and his fans (chayanne.net, casachayanne.com and others) and my life is richer for the discovery. Take a chance and have a ball!