Save the Last Dance 2001

In the heartwarming drama that unfolds, 17-year-old Sara Johnson (played by), a gifted ballet dancer from suburban Chicago, is left reeling after her mother’s sudden death in a car accident while rushing to attend her Juilliard audition. The weight of guilt and disappointment drives Sara to abandon her passion for dance, instead moving to the South Side to live with her estranged father Roy (played by), a struggling jazz musician who fills his nights playing trumpet at local nightclubs.

Sara’s new home is a dilapidated house that reflects her father’s life - rough around the edges but filled with a quiet resilience. She transfers to a predominantly African American high school, where she stands out as one of the few white students. It is here that she befriends Chenille Reynolds (played by), a teenage single mother struggling to navigate her complicated relationship with ex-boyfriend Kenny.

Chenille invites Sara to Stepps, a vibrant dance club that serves as a sanctuary for the community. At Stepps, Sara experiences the infectious energy of hip-hop rhythms and meets Derek, Chenille’s studious brother who harbors dreams of attending Georgetown University and becoming a pediatrician. Derek takes it upon himself to mentor Sara in her dancing, encouraging her to incorporate hip-hop into her style.

As Sara grows under Derek’s guidance, they return to the Joffrey Ballet together, where she finally opens up about her mother’s passing and her own aspirations. Later, they stun onlookers with their impressive dance routine at Stepps, but their celebration is short-lived as Derek’s ex-girlfriend Nikki intervenes, causing Sara to retreat to the sidelines.

In the aftermath of this confrontation, Derek apologizes for his actions, and Sara and he eventually make amends, returning to Roy’s apartment. With his acceptance into Georgetown now a reality, Derek convinces Sara to pursue her dreams at Juilliard, and their romance blossoms.

However, tensions arise when Nikki picks a fight with Sara during gym class, causing their friendship with Chenille to fray. Chenille’s words of wisdom - that she can empathize with Nikki’s bitterness over Sara’s relationship with Derek - further strain the bonds between the three girls. Ultimately, Sara decides to end things with Derek, leaving her to navigate this complex web of relationships and emotions.

As tensions simmer beneath the surface, Derek navigates a complex web of relationships, including his friend Malakai, who is deeply entrenched in a gang lifestyle that Derek is desperate to escape. In a moment of weakness, Derek agrees to help Malakai orchestrate a drive-by shooting that coincides with Sara’s crucial audition. Meanwhile, Roy steps in as a voice of reason, offering words of encouragement and guidance to Sara, urging her to seize the opportunity and pursue her passion.

As revelations unfold, Derek confronts Chenille about the hurtful words she spoke to Sara, revealing his true motivations for ending things with Nikki. Chenille is overcome with remorse, acknowledging the harm she has caused and apologizing sincerely. Her confession also reveals a deeper truth: her resentment towards Kenny stems from his lack of support in raising their son and being an absent partner in their relationship. She inadvertently took out her frustrations on Sara, envious of her connection with Derek.

Chenille implores Derek to rekindle his romance with Sara, recognizing that the young woman is deeply in love with him. She also warns him against following Malakai down a dangerous path, knowing that it could jeopardize his future and academic ambitions at Georgetown. Despite her concerns, Derek meets with Malakai and tries to dissuade him from carrying out the drive-by, but his friend refuses to listen.

As Sara takes the stage for her audition, Derek arrives just in time to offer words of encouragement and support. The outcome is a resounding success, as Sara secures a spot at Juilliard and renews her relationship with Derek. In a separate development, the botched drive-by ends in Malakai’s arrest, bringing a sense of closure to the storyline.

As the credits roll, the group gathers at Stepps to celebrate Sara’s triumph, marking a turning point in their lives as they look towards a brighter future together.