While the story isn't up to par, as many have said, it's really just a sort of excuse to allow these great, great dancers to get up and do their thing on screen. And, let's be honest. You've got a lot of just awesome talent up there. Jimmy Slyde, Sammy Davis Jr., Sandman Sims, Steve Condos (very little of him, however), Gregory Hines, Diana Ross, Gregory Hines, and in his very first film role, Savion Glover.
It's so strange to see him as a kid, now, though. I'm used to seeing the thirty-some odd year old with the long dreads and scraggly beard, not the kid with short hair and nary a whisker 'bout his face. But, even at this stage, he's just awesome.
I'll admit, I've stolen a couple of steps from the people up there in this movie, from time to time. I know I don't do them half as well as they do, but I don't have as much experience as they do.
I keep thinking that they're going to remake this movie one day with Glover in the Hines' role. That'd be just awesome. But then, almost all the other hoofers in the film like Sims and Slyde, are much to old to be doing film roles any more. That's not meant to be an insult, but they're in their eighties, at least.
All in all, a good film. Hines, you will be missed.
Plot summary
Max Washington has just been released from prison after serving time for burglary. He returns to his old hangout, a hoofer club. His old girl friend, Amy, who still works at the club as a Tap instructor, is less than thrilled to see him. Her father, Little Mo, is happy to see him, because he has plans for a show involving Max. In addition, Max's old partners in crime have another job for him.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
June 14, 2022 at 04:21 PM
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It's just great to see all the good old hoofers get together like this
Stick Around for the Dancing, Not the Story
You sometimes come across a film that is made more for a gimmick rather than telling a very interesting story; Tap is one of them. That's not to say that this movie is a flat out dud, it's just that the story doesn't really hold a candle to the tap dancing shown here. Starring the late Gregory Hines, the film revolves around a talented tap dancer named Max Washington (Hines), who must decide between embracing dancing at a new dance production from his girlfriend Amy (Suzanne Douglass) or becoming a criminal again with his old criminal buddy, Nicky (Joe Morton). From a premise like that, the movie becomes rather predictable from its outcome alone, and each beat becomes more obvious after another.
So what elevates the film up to being above average? Well, mainly the dancing, as many of the characters in the movie display a versatile amount of dance moves that one could only wish to be good at. The dancers range from the likes of Sammy Davis jr., Jimmy Slyde, Howard Sims, Bunny Briggs, Dick Anthony Williams, and even a young Savion Glover. It's hilarious watching Max getting involved with the old curmudgeons in games of dancing, and the choreography definitely deserves much recognition. One particular scene of Max demonstrating his moves to a crowd of people outside the dance production practically turns into a scene from a Broadway musical it's so much fun to watch.
Even at that, the most likable characters in the film are Amy and Little Mo (Davis jr.), as they cause much conflict with Max when it comes to deciding where he belongs as well as trying to get his act back together. Everyone else, while not despicable, are either just there or just give Max more problems, yet they're not as interesting as they could be and they just come off as a forgettable supporting cast. That being said, in spite of a majority of weak characters and a lackluster plot, they're not what this movie is all about at the end of the day. This is mainly made to be a fun little dance flick with Gregory Hines busting moves, and it does succeed in that aspect. If you're a Hines fan or you're just into dancing as a whole, definitely give this a watch; just don't expect a story with much substance or intrigue.
Dancing - Superb; Story - Stinks
If it wasn't for the fact I've always enjoyed watching a good tap dancer, from Fred Astaire to Bill Robinson to Gene Kelly on here to Gregory Hines, I wouldn't have sat through all 111 minutes of this turkey. That's what the story is - a turkey with a bunch of angry, surly, unlikable characters who are no fun to listen to. The script is not the best, either.
What this REALLY is - and this part I like - is an excuse for Hines and fellow hoofers to strut their stuff. In fact, Hines puts on one of the best exhibitions of tap dancing I have ever seen. What's really fun is to see him and a some old men, former great dancers in their day, all together in a number or two. That's great stuff.
So, if want to enjoy some super dancing, check this out, but if you want a good story, pass it up.