Search - The Prince & Me/Save the Last Dance (Widescreen Editions) on DVD

A JULIA STILES DOUBLE FEATURE...

Lawyeraau | Balmoral Castle | 02/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"These are two films that fans of Julia Stiles should definitely enjoy. While both films have their good and bad points, "Save the Last Dance" is definitely the stronger film of the two.

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THE PRINCE AND ME ***

With its excellent cast and Cinderella storyline, this is a fairly formulaic, predictable film about a very focused young woman, Paige Morgan (Julia Stiles), a farmer's daughter from Wisconsin who wants to become a doctor. She is so focused that she simply does not date, that is, until she is a pre-med student at the University of Wisconsin and meets "Eddie" (Luke Mably), a fellow student at the University. Despite an inauspicious first meeting, she and "Eddie" become lab partners, work in the same student hang-out joint, and eventually fall in love. Little does she know that "Eddie" is really Edvard, the Crown Prince of Denmark.

It seems that Edvard, nothing more than a rich, spoiled royal playboy, originally set out to attend the University of Wisconsin incognito, accompanied by his valet, Soren (Ben Miller), in hopes of sowing some wild oats and scoring with the chicks. When he meets Julia, his hopes of an easy, breezy fling are dashed, when he discovers that his charms are initially lost upon her. They eventually become friends, as they each have something that they can teach the other, but end up falling in love. Just as they are on the bring of consummating their love, the paparazzi descend upon them, and all hell breaks loose.

Paige is, of course, understandably miffed that "Eddie" has not told her the truth. Edvard, however, makes Paige an honorable proposal of marriage. Needless to say, the royal family is initially less than thrilled with the Crown Prince's choice of a mate. While King Haraald (James Fox) feels that it is his son's choice, Queen Rosalind (Miranda Richardson) is not a happy camper at the prospect of an American commoner for a daughter-in-law. Of course, Paige doesn't help any, as on the surface she comes across as a stolid, unsophisticated, and uncultured, though otherwise nice, young woman. Still, it seems that Edvard has done a three hundred and sixty degree turn and become a serious and stable young man since his attachment to Paige developed. Then, Paige has second thoughts about becoming the next Queen of Denmark, throwing a small monkey wrench into the works.

James Fox and Miranda Richardson steal the movie out from under Julia Stiles' nose, however brief their appearance. Moreover, there is simply little chemistry between Ms. Stiles and her leading man, Luke Mably. While I think that Ms. Stiles is one of the better young actresses around, this film is simply not one of her finer performances, as her portrayal of Paige is often leaden. It could simply be that she was hampered by the quality of the script. As for Luke Mably, he had his moments, but they were not enough to make this film more than what it is. This is simply a pleasant, romantic piece of fluff that is worth a rental and not much more.

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SAVE THE LAST DANCE ****

This is a well acted, somewhat sanitized and idealized story of a talented teenage girl who, on the cusp of achieving her dream, loses everything, only to find it again in a way no one would have predicted. It is a story about attaining one's dreams and the process by which they may become a reality. This is a well acted, though predictable, coming of age tale which can be enjoyed by young and old alike.

Here, the talented Julia Stiles plays the role of Sara, a teenager who happens to be a talented ballet dancer. Auditioning for the famous Julliard School while angry at her single parent mother for being late to her audition, she fumbles her audition. She finishes, only to discover that her mother, in her haste to make Sara's audition, died in a tragic car accident on her way. Blaming herself for her mother's death, Sara gives up ballet.

Her pleasant life suddenly snatched from her, Sara is forced to go live with her estranged dad, Roy, wonderfully acted by Terry Tinney. A down and out jazz musician who lives on Chicago's tough south side, Roy does the best he can to make up for lost time. Sara, seemingly undaunted by her seamy new surroundings, enters a predominantly black, inner city high school, where she is befriended by fellow student, Chanelle, a single mom with a hunky, intelligent brother, Derek, played by Sean Patrick Thomas, who is well cast in the role. Bound for Georgetown University, Derek hopes to one day become a doctor.

Through her blossoming relationship with Derek, Sara begins to dance again. It is through his encouragement and nurturing that she regains the confidence to follow her dream and audition once again for Julliard. It is also through his commitment to Sara that Derek finds the courage to tell his gangsta wanna be friend that he wants no further involvement in his friend's nefarious activities, before it is too late for him.

Sara's audition is a show stopping dance routine that is the icing on this enjoyable, coming of age film. It is a testament to hope and to the power of love."