Dirty Dancing 2 – Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)

Directed by: Guy Ferland | 96 minutes | drama, romance | Actors: Diego Luna, Romola Garai, Sela Ward, John Slattery, Jonathan Jackson, Patrick Swayze, January Jones, Mika Boorem, Rene Lavan, Mya, Polly Cusumano, Chris Engen, Tommy Kavelin, Wilmer Cordero, Charlie Rodriguez, Donato Poveda

‘Dirty Dancing 2’ is a shamelessly romantic teenage girl film as they are rarely made anymore. Without a wink, the old theme of forbidden teenage love between rich and poor makes a comeback in an old-fashioned family setting, including angry parents, fake types and bitter but inevitable tears.

The link with the seventeen-year-old ‘Dirty Dancing’ is a small one; although an ugly duckling transforms into sensual beauty in sultry Cuba and Patrick Swayze plays a minor role as a dance teacher, the sequel connection is negligible. Director Guy Ferland seems to be playing safe with this film. He opts for safe additions as the sexy star in a cameo – in this case Mya – with a twist here and there. For example, the wealthy American who, like Javier, is angling for Katey’s favors overplays his hand by kissing her against her will. To prevent the ‘scandal’ from leaking out, Katey forces this James (Jonathan Jackson) to join the game in the capture of the poor Latino Javier – a role of the poster-ripe Diego Luna, who at first walks around a bit lost, but as the The film is progressing and gaining some presence.

That was about it. ‘Dirty Dancing 2’ remains a film for young teens. Traumatic obstacles like Katey’s jealous mother are effortlessly set aside; the communist revolution is nothing more than a romantic development. It was just a holiday love after all. Especially in the first half, the film rushes through the clichés to get the sturdy, but wooden Katey as quickly as possible onto the ‘dirty’ dance floor, where the Cubans naturally intertwine orgasmically. And it’s not that dirty at all. We hardly get to see droplets of sweat, let alone any saliva. It must be said that the Garai-Luna couple looks supremely convincingly sexy at the moment.

We will also reveal that the two get together and that escalates in a shadowed scene à la ‘Careless Whisper’ by George Michael. The ironic swooning did not happen in the cinema, but then it is not a film for a critical audience. Don’t be afraid of gore and sensuality in ‘Dirty Dancing 2’. Even thirteen-year-olds are allowed to go there in America.