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Katey (Romola Garai) and Javier (Diego Luna) star in “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.”<

“Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights”

Directed by Guy Ferland

Miramax Films

I am sad to say I didn’t have the time of my life … again with “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.”

While the film slavishly follows the formula of the original “Dirty Dancing,” all of the familiarity that hooked audiences in the original rendition is rushed through without a second thought in the remake.

First there is the overriding story of Katey Miller (Romola Garai), and her entrance into the decadent life of Havana, at least from the standpoint of white affluence. Dismayed by the snooty attitudes of her fellow rich socialites, Katey finds comfort in the hotel waiter, Javier (Diego Luna), who also happens to grind and shake with the best of them.

After getting caught associating with Katey, Javier is laid off. Ridden with guilt, Katey enlists Javier’s skills in a dance competition that, if they perform well, their winnings could financially benefit his family. Katey’s stiff ballroom number routines encounter undiscovered territory against Javier’s impassioned body rhythms.

Also interlaced with this story is the subplot of the Cuban revolution taking place at the same time. The revolution is brushed up and sanitized to the point where it seems unnecessary. The film’s short interjections of political strife do not do justice to the real events. The political references throughout the film are pretty naïve and serve merely to romanticize the events and its participants.

“Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” seemed to be two movies rolled into one, as director Guy Ferland didn’t really pick between a love story about dancing or a movie about the revolution. The chemistry between Katey and Javier is continuously interrupted for the sake of political commentary. Regardless, both storylines are weak and half-heartedly undertaken.

Normally, a film involving romance and a revolution would be fine in a drama. But since this is a “Dirty Dancing” movie, there automatically exists a sense of frivolousness that comes with the territory. After all, the dancing is supposed to be the film’s main focus. Disappointingly, the famous final dance, known for the moment when the protagonist sheds her uptight persona, is cut short for political reasons.

If the decision was made to separate “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” from the original, the choice could be excusable. But apparently, they aren’t separate movies because Patrick Swayze shows up playing his character from the original “Dirty Dancing,” Johnny Castle.

Here’s the odd thing: “Dirty Dancing” is set in the 1960s and was filmed in 1987, wherein Swayze was in his mid-30s playing a guy in his 20s. “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” is set in 1958 and was filmed in 2003; thus Swayze is in his fifties playing a guy in his teens.

And it shows.

- Laurie Lo