SALSA

US, 1988, 93 minutes, Colour.
Bobby Rosa, Rodney Harvey, Magali Alvaredo.
Directed by Boaz Davidson.

Salsa, like Breakdance and Beat Street, is one of those exuberant dance/ competition shows with minimum plot. It was directed by Boaz Davidson for the Canon Group. He made The Lemon Popsicle series. Robby Rosa has to portray one of the most narcissistic heroes on screen, obnoxious and macho, hard on sheltering his sister, turning on his best friend. But he is a lively dancer. But all turns out well and the hero of course has a change of heart.

1. A popular dance film? The verve and energy of the film and the dancing?

2. Los Angeles, the Hispanic atmosphere? The happy and musical atmosphere?

3. The dance and its verve, the routines, musical score, choreography, competition?

4. Rico at the centre of the film: seeing him during the credits at work and the dancing with his fellow workers, the importance of Salsa, the practices with Vicki, his relationship with Vicki, going to the Luna Nightclub, his mother's pride? His friendship with Kenny and having him as part of the family? His strictness about Margarita going out? Infatuated by Lola, the sexual encounter? His dreams, going to the ad for the trip to Puerto Rico? Yet his self-consciousness, looking at himself in the mirror, singing 'Blue Suede Shoes'? His fights? His being taken on by Luna, the training for the dance, her using him? Her boyfriend? Wanting Kenny to protect Margarita? Clashing with Kenny? Margarita and her defiance of him at the dance? Her accident, going to the hospital? Their going to get him and take him, back to the competition? The reconciliation? Likable and unlikeable? The reconciliation with Vicki and winning?

5. Ken and his friendship, working together, sharing things together, covering for him - especially with Lola? The birthday party? His falling in love with Margarita, dancing with her, on the bike, the fight with Rico, pleading with him to go back? The reconciliation?

6. Rita at school, friendship with Lola, going to the nightclub, falling in love with Ken, the dance with the homeless men, defying Rico, at the final dance, the accident, joining with Kenny to get him back?

7. The sketch of the mother, her love for her children, support of Rico, challenging him?

8. Lola and her friendship, sexy, rivalry with Vicki, drunk at the party?

9. Vicki and her dancing, love for Rico, ousted by La Luna, the break, the reconciliation and winning?

10. Luna and her age, tough, Orlando waiting on her, getting Rico as the partner, the rehearsals, her haughtiness, the competition, Rico asserting himself, rejecting her?

11. The basic plot, the atmosphere of Los Angeles and the Spanish culture, music and dance? The basic optimism of the film?