Episodes in the lives of two East Coast couples who are friends: Jeff Daniels and Elizabeth Perkins are the sweethearts (sweet hearts?) just getting their romance started, while Don Johnson and Susan Sarandon are married-and-bickering with kids. Tolerable comedy-drama from screenwriter Ernest Thompson of "On Golden Pond" fame isn't as maudlin (or, at least to my taste, as fraudulent) as that other film, though neither is it particularly witty or otherwise distinguished. Someone (either director Robert Greenwald, or Thompson, or perhaps the editor) chose to make each incident into its own chapter, like pages from a marital scrapbook or a photogenic kisses-and-hisses calendar. The picture comes off slight as a result, lacking in both romance and frivolity. Solid acting saves much of it, particularly by Don Johnson, whose bursts of temperament are convincing. Cinematographer Tak Fujimoto gives the movie a warm 'neighborly' feel that belies some of the emotions being played out. ** from ****
13 Reviews
Booooooring!
=G=12 November 2001
"Sweet Hearts Dance" is about a two couples...one married, one not. Beyond that there's little worth mentioning. Although the film sports a good cast and is an okay production, it is a movie in need of a story as it wanders from chapter to chapter exploring the vicissitudes of a quartet of people who are probably much less interesting that yourself. In a word....boring.
A good cast partially salvages a one-dimensional drama
bob.gladish13 February 2000
This picture gets out of the gate well, but has a lot of difficult sustaining itself on a one-dimensional plot-line. In the first scenes, Jeff Daniels and Don Johnson establish a rapport as two best buddies who get involved in Halloween hijinks in their small Vermont town. Instead of continuing on a course which involves more of their shenanigins, it becomes obvious that this is a movie of family strife and man-woman relationships (as well as best buddy relationships). That is not so bad, but the movie is so unrelenting in it's pursuance of these themes, that it soon bogs down until you can no longer care what happens next in the Don Johnson-Susan Sarandon, and Jeff Daniels-Elizabeth Perkins relationships: you just wish they would get involved in something else. The same mood continues right to the end - I was certain that some catastrophe would create a climactic ending that would bring the two rocky relationships to a happy ending, but it wasn't to be. For this is one of those slice-of-life movies which tries to mirror everyday life, and in everyday life there are few catastrophies, only the unrelenting march of life. To the movie's credit though, this slice-of-life approach is not all bad, there is always something very comforting in a movie which successfully captures this mood. It, and other movies of it's ilk, make the statement: "This Is How It Is In America, No More And No Less!". Also to lt's credit is the strong cast. Susan Sarandon is, as usual, in fine form, and Don Johnson, as her somewhat unstable mate, captures the essence of the beleagured American husband. Jeff Daniels is good as the stabilizing influence to both of them, although this is about all he does. Elizabeth Perkins is not up to the calibre of the other three, though, and her character becomes the most tiresome of them all. Justin Henry, is a little bland as the teenage son tortured by the strife between his parents.
A sweetheart of a movie!
sp2734315 November 2004
I remember going to see this movie as an afterthought one night in 1988 when I was on a business trip to San Diego. I thought at first it was going to stink, as I couldn't imagine Don Johnson handling a thoughtful adult role. I was shocklingly surprised at his, and the always superior Jeff Daniels acting in this film. These two guys played off each other with such chemistry it was hard not to imagine them as best friends. As a guy who hasn't had much luck in the relationship department, I could so relate to both Don and Jeff's romance problems with, respectively; Susan Sarandon, and the babe-a-licious (I still have the hots for her) Elizabeth Perkins. In addition to the outstanding acting, the movie was written and directed with a great deal of heart. Its such a shame this fine film was ignored at the box office.
shows promise, then falls flat
siler21 December 2000
Warning: Spoilers
warning: possible spoilers
This is the story of a couple (played by Susan Sarandon and Don Johnson), high school sweethearts who made the mistake of getting married and having kids. Now, 20 years later, they are separated and hate each other. Their brief interactions end in one's (usually Johnson's character's) rude, insensitive, or indifferent comment, followed by the other running away. After a couple of these interactions, I thought "now's the time when they sit down and try to work things out", since they clearly still "loved" each other (as all couples who fight constantly in the movies really "love" each other) and were in some kind of emotional pain. But this never happened. So, the movie's "plot" is the constant fighting.
Presumably in some attempt to revitalize their relationship (I think the writer at least had the insight to realize he was boring the audience, so he gives us some fresh scenery to make up for the stale "plot"), Sarandon's character decides she want to go to the Caribbean with her hubby. She overhears him commenting on a sunbather's "hooters" (the best he's ever seen). Of course, not one for talking, she instead tries to sleep with her hubby's best friend.
Like a good chap, he refuses, but as they lie in bed, hubby (of course) walks in and throws some furniture out of the sliding door. (Still no discussion.) But at least the best friend has enough emotional intelligence to suggest they "sleep it off"; they will feel better in the morning.
The next evening, after hubby gives a brief "speech" (mostly rambling, but ends by saying he wants things better, meaning his marital relationship). that night in their motel room, wife asks hubby if he wants to see her naked. Of course, he does. He tells her she's beautiful; she asks "but not the best you've ever seen?" and gets mad when he doesn't appease her. They yell. And, FINALLY, in their yelling, he asks her what she wants. "I want us to love each other!!" "Well, that's just great because so do I!!". And they sleep together. After all that time, all they really needed was to yell a few nice words at each other. Ah, movie romance! In the last scene I could bear to watch, they seemed to have reverted back to childhood. They stole hubby's best friend's car (it's fire-engine red!!) and were attempting to put it to sea when hubby asked wifie if she'd go to the dance with him. This is when I turned it off, seeing no hope that it could re-direct itself and still make any sense at all.
So, the moral of the story? Don't grow up. That only leads to complicated relationships and talking and all that nasty stuff. Sex might technically be for "grown-ups", but at least it's fun and you don't even have to talk afterwards! Maybe the writer was more clever than I gave him/her credit for, and the movie was really a satire on immature high school-sweetheart marriages. One can only hope.
This is the story of a couple (played by Susan Sarandon and Don Johnson), high school sweethearts who made the mistake of getting married and having kids. Now, 20 years later, they are separated and hate each other. Their brief interactions end in one's (usually Johnson's character's) rude, insensitive, or indifferent comment, followed by the other running away. After a couple of these interactions, I thought "now's the time when they sit down and try to work things out", since they clearly still "loved" each other (as all couples who fight constantly in the movies really "love" each other) and were in some kind of emotional pain. But this never happened. So, the movie's "plot" is the constant fighting.
Presumably in some attempt to revitalize their relationship (I think the writer at least had the insight to realize he was boring the audience, so he gives us some fresh scenery to make up for the stale "plot"), Sarandon's character decides she want to go to the Caribbean with her hubby. She overhears him commenting on a sunbather's "hooters" (the best he's ever seen). Of course, not one for talking, she instead tries to sleep with her hubby's best friend.
Like a good chap, he refuses, but as they lie in bed, hubby (of course) walks in and throws some furniture out of the sliding door. (Still no discussion.) But at least the best friend has enough emotional intelligence to suggest they "sleep it off"; they will feel better in the morning.
The next evening, after hubby gives a brief "speech" (mostly rambling, but ends by saying he wants things better, meaning his marital relationship). that night in their motel room, wife asks hubby if he wants to see her naked. Of course, he does. He tells her she's beautiful; she asks "but not the best you've ever seen?" and gets mad when he doesn't appease her. They yell. And, FINALLY, in their yelling, he asks her what she wants. "I want us to love each other!!" "Well, that's just great because so do I!!". And they sleep together. After all that time, all they really needed was to yell a few nice words at each other. Ah, movie romance! In the last scene I could bear to watch, they seemed to have reverted back to childhood. They stole hubby's best friend's car (it's fire-engine red!!) and were attempting to put it to sea when hubby asked wifie if she'd go to the dance with him. This is when I turned it off, seeing no hope that it could re-direct itself and still make any sense at all.
So, the moral of the story? Don't grow up. That only leads to complicated relationships and talking and all that nasty stuff. Sex might technically be for "grown-ups", but at least it's fun and you don't even have to talk afterwards! Maybe the writer was more clever than I gave him/her credit for, and the movie was really a satire on immature high school-sweetheart marriages. One can only hope.
It's the friendships that stand out here.
mark.waltz12 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, husband and wife Don Johnson and Susan Sarandon put on a good show when reminiscing (which establishes the story), but as he points out to her, they don't kiss anymore. While on a skating trip with best pal Jeff Daniels and his two sons, he confides that he doesn't want to be married anymore. In fact, he reveals through his affections that he prefers Daniels and his sons over the boring relationship with his wife, storming out on Thanksgiving after revealing how he feels in front of the family and friends gathered, including mother Kate Reid, the young daughter, Daniels and newly arrived teacher Elizabeth Perkins whom Daniels has started to date. The film is set up to play like a calendar, utilizing the colorful Vermont scenery of the different seasons to represent small town America.
A good portion of the film focuses on the men so you have to patiently wait for the women's point of view. Johnson's holiday confession sets up the conflict, and he is surprisingly good. Daniels really provides the heart, and it's surprising that it took several decades through his stage work for critics and film historians to realize how natural he's always been. Sarandon shows early on that by not really acting but reacting how good she was before her later string of acclaim on screen. This isn't exactly a "War of the Roses" story about the hatred that grows in a marriage. Sarandon and Johnson attempt to resolve their problems, even attending their high school class reunion, so for those who have gone to their reunion, it's ironic to check in on high school sweethearts who soon married to see if they made it.
Yes indeed, we've seen these stories played out on screen before, and in the 2020's as opposed to the late 80's, this is TV soap opera or at least Lifetime. But it resonates with the real people, and as Sarandon gets the chance to take over, Perkins gets her turn as well. Justin Henry, the Oscar nominated kid from "Kramer Vs. Kramer", is understated as Johnson and Sarandon's son, very natural as he takes his mother's side although he shows affection and respect to Johnson in earlier scenes. The skating scene on a frozen Vermont lake even shows the four male characters doing the whip, and when Johnson and Daniels go taboganing in the mountains on a giant slope, the beauty of the mountains show the vistas incredibly. Not surprising, veteran actress Kate Reid makes the most of her small part. This takes a formula theme and provides some nice insight, making this quite memorable. Not surprising, the script by Ernest Thompson is very "On Golden Pond" in nature, giving the prediction that one day the characters played by Johnson and Sarandon will spend time holding hands and watching the loons.
A good portion of the film focuses on the men so you have to patiently wait for the women's point of view. Johnson's holiday confession sets up the conflict, and he is surprisingly good. Daniels really provides the heart, and it's surprising that it took several decades through his stage work for critics and film historians to realize how natural he's always been. Sarandon shows early on that by not really acting but reacting how good she was before her later string of acclaim on screen. This isn't exactly a "War of the Roses" story about the hatred that grows in a marriage. Sarandon and Johnson attempt to resolve their problems, even attending their high school class reunion, so for those who have gone to their reunion, it's ironic to check in on high school sweethearts who soon married to see if they made it.
Yes indeed, we've seen these stories played out on screen before, and in the 2020's as opposed to the late 80's, this is TV soap opera or at least Lifetime. But it resonates with the real people, and as Sarandon gets the chance to take over, Perkins gets her turn as well. Justin Henry, the Oscar nominated kid from "Kramer Vs. Kramer", is understated as Johnson and Sarandon's son, very natural as he takes his mother's side although he shows affection and respect to Johnson in earlier scenes. The skating scene on a frozen Vermont lake even shows the four male characters doing the whip, and when Johnson and Daniels go taboganing in the mountains on a giant slope, the beauty of the mountains show the vistas incredibly. Not surprising, veteran actress Kate Reid makes the most of her small part. This takes a formula theme and provides some nice insight, making this quite memorable. Not surprising, the script by Ernest Thompson is very "On Golden Pond" in nature, giving the prediction that one day the characters played by Johnson and Sarandon will spend time holding hands and watching the loons.
Dreary
The_nibs20 January 2021
While Susan Sarandon performs well as an embittered and alienated wife, it's nothing to save this dreary, painfully long drama about marriage and failing relationships. Every adult is crotchety and awkward, even fighting at family dinners/holidays in front of guests or strangers. I imagine all relationships have their disappointments, but it's downright bizarre the way these couples rehash arguments at the most inopportune moments. Wiley is the worst character in the entire film. While on a vacation with his friend and son he complains about his wife and kids stating that he doesn't want them any more - again, this is while on vacation with his own son, after a pretty notable scene. There's a lot of tension later on in the film between father and son, which is understandable given the separation, but his behaviour towards the boy is always insanely irresponsible, aggressive and almost criminal. The entire cast of characters disappoints, there aren't any light moments to recover from the constant bickering. I would not recommend this film unless you really like Sarandon.
A must see for couples with fading relationships
VetteRanger1 March 2010
I read some of the other reviews here, and quite a few of these people don't understand the reason for this movie at all.
It is not meant to titillate, amuse, or thrill you. It is a spot on slice of life movie about a couple who love each other, but don't understand why their lives are driving straight into the doldrums. They don't know how to communicate about it, and all they really need to succeed in their relationship is to do just that.
There is a strong object lesson here that if watched and grasped, could save most marriages that fail for similar reasons.
This is not to say that the movie is without charm to entertain, it has plenty. But I didn't give this movie a 9 for its straight entertainment value, I gave it a 9 for its relationship educational value.
It is not meant to titillate, amuse, or thrill you. It is a spot on slice of life movie about a couple who love each other, but don't understand why their lives are driving straight into the doldrums. They don't know how to communicate about it, and all they really need to succeed in their relationship is to do just that.
There is a strong object lesson here that if watched and grasped, could save most marriages that fail for similar reasons.
This is not to say that the movie is without charm to entertain, it has plenty. But I didn't give this movie a 9 for its straight entertainment value, I gave it a 9 for its relationship educational value.
Predictable copy of a movie already directed
hackett-311 December 2002
Sweet Hearts Dance has a good cast of actors. Don Johnson was in a very popular period, Susan Sarandon doesn't need an introduction, and Jeff Daniels came from the success of "Purple rose of Cairo" and "Something wild". There were all the elements to be a good movie: an interesting subject (family divorce), the actors, a good screenwriter Ernest Thompson, who came from the copy of Academy Awarded winner "On the golden pond", but the movie failed the waits. The screenplay is very repetitive: it seems to be taken from a reduction of "Terms of endearment" (even Elizabeth Perkins phisically looks like Debra Winger) and from a series of similar movies. Don Johnson is very good in the part of the rebellious husband with a bad character but we don't understand where his intolerance comes. The movie doesn't explain this and expires in the usual stereotype of the couple in crisis after the first 15 years of marriage. The direction is so absent that often it doesn't understand if the actors improvise in order to give speed to the scenes or it was a decision of the screenwriter to think many slow and predictable scenes. However the story presents even very funny moments that are the only reason in order to see this movie.
Great must see movie!
soketone1 September 2022
My mom and I watch this every Fall to start off the Fall season. Pumpkin spice and Sweethearts Dance go hand in hand. This movie is extremely charming. Characters are extremely relatable and draws the viewer into the story. The characters feel like old friends. The town depicted in this film makes a trip to the East Coast to see the changing of the leaves a bucket list item. Don Johnson is at his best in this movie. Susan Sarandon is at her best as a woman trying to keep her marriage "afloat". Jeff Daniels plays a high school principal who wants to dare a teacher at another school. Finally, Elizabeth Perkins stuns as a young school teacher not sure if what she's looking for. Truly a must see!!
Good Movie
drgigglesgirl6663 July 2000
Sweet Hearts Dance is a real good movie, It stars Don Johnson and Susan sarandon as a married couple and its about how thier marriage falls appart over the year and it shows them from holiday to holiday. Its a real good movie and kind of sad because thier seperation effects thier 3 kids (one of whom is played by Charmeds Holly Marie Combs)
Surprisingly effective
Dave-30130 June 1999
This is quite a surprise -- a real charmer of a movie. Who knew that Don Johnson and Susan Sarandon could co-exist in the same movie -- and play so well? And with Elizabeth Perkins and Jeff Daniels, the charm and the good looks just ooze off the screen.
"Sweet Hearts Dance" is a great movie.
buppy26 October 1998
Don Johnson, Susan Sarandon, Jeff Daniels, Elizabeth Perkins, Kate Reid, and Justin Henry star in this movie of how a couple's marriage becomes a lot easier when the truth is revealed. Don Johnson stars as Wiley Boon, a hard-working husband and father who has lived in the same Vermont town all his life. Now things are getting bitter between him and his wife Sandra (Susan Sarandon) just as Wiley's best friend Sam (Jeff Daniels) is falling in love with a local school teacher (Elizabeth Perkins). This is a great movie that every married couple should watch.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
