Xavier loves to dance and spends his free time at hotspot Club Rosa Negra. One thing leads to another and soon the two are paired up as partners in a dance competition with a big cash prize, enticing Xavier so he can take his family to America. Never mind the illogic that his father died in the revolutionary cause and the family is tightly bound to it. Katey’s parents (Sela Ward and John Slattery) once having been championship dancers themselves; she has a few moves that the cocky Xavier has never seen. The rather feeble attempt at cross-cultural communication falls short and lies somewhat ludicrously, along with the revolution, in the background gathering little credence. The film really works better as a story of young love, disappointment, and growing up, infused with some lively Latin music and dance.

Filmed in Puerto Rico, one element nicely summoned is the sun-drenched and sea swept beauty of a Havana that perhaps never existed, and certainly no longer does. Unfortunately, it particularly falls apart in the credibility department in what should be an intense climax and the News Years Eve dance competition which is ripped apart by Castro seizing power and the ouster of Batista, dramatized so effectively in such films as "The Godfather" and "Topaz". Not to compare "Havana Nights" to those films in content or theme, but Sela Ward calmly packing, Xavier and Katie calmly spending the night together on the beach and the absence of tumult and turmoil outside make it hard to swallow.