Synopsis

After his mother's death, Rafael leaves Cuba for Houston, where he takes a job at his estranged father's dance studio. As he trains for a major ballroom competition, Rafael develops a bond with instructor Ruby, while trying to earn his father's acceptance. Their relationships are tested by family secrets, professional ambitions, and the pressure of the Las Vegas championships.

Factoids & Trivia

• Although the opening scenes are set in Cuba, they were filmed in the Dominican Republic. Chayanne, who plays Cuban newcomer Rafael, is Puerto Rican.

• The dancers featured in the Las Vegas competition were former world champions at the time of filming, including Rick Valenzuela, Vanessa Williams' dance partner.

• The film's soundtrack was released by Sony Music on August 11, 1998, shortly before the movie's August 21 theatrical release.

• "You Are My Home," performed by Vanessa Williams and Chayanne, was written by Diane Warren. The Spanish version, "Refugio de Amor," reached No. 4 on Billboard's Latin Pop Songs chart.

• The soundtrack reached No. 1 on Billboard's Top Latin Albums chart and remained there for six consecutive weeks.

• A conversation about Rafael's mother writing a song includes a joke about whether Rafael will sing it. The exchange plays on Chayanne's real-life career as a popular singer since childhood.

• Jane Krakowski's role as an amateur dancer drew on her own long-standing dance background, which also connected with dance-related storylines on Ally McBeal around the film's release.