The problem with most, if not all, dance movies is that the plots are weak. The dancing usually is good. It's like all the focus was put into the dancing and the choreography with little to no focus being put into a decent plot. "Tap" is no different.
Max Washington (Gregory Hines) is an ex-con working as a dishwasher and lives across the street from his old tap dance studio. He's torn between three things: going straight and living his life on the meager wages of a dishwasher, joining back up with his old partners and making big scores, or devoting himself back to tap dancing. What do you think he chose?
It was great seeing Gregory Hines and many older cats doing "combinations" with their added flare, but that's not enough to carry a nearly two hour movie. There was an old flame in Amy (Suzanne Douglas) which didn't do anything to better the movie. He pretty much barged into her life and relentlessly pestered her until she gave in. Some would say, "That's taking what you want," while others would say, "That was harassment." What he did was much in line with on-screen relationships in the 80's: the man dogs the woman to the point of nearly stalking, never taking no as an answer until she gives in and they're both happier for it.
Sammy Davis Jr. had a sizeable role in "Tap" if for no other reason than to show off his own set of tap dancing skills. I don't blame "Tap" for having the same problem every other dance movie has had. They accomplished their objective of showing off tap dancing even if it meant making a so-so movie.
Max Washington (Gregory Hines) is an ex-con working as a dishwasher and lives across the street from his old tap dance studio. He's torn between three things: going straight and living his life on the meager wages of a dishwasher, joining back up with his old partners and making big scores, or devoting himself back to tap dancing. What do you think he chose?
It was great seeing Gregory Hines and many older cats doing "combinations" with their added flare, but that's not enough to carry a nearly two hour movie. There was an old flame in Amy (Suzanne Douglas) which didn't do anything to better the movie. He pretty much barged into her life and relentlessly pestered her until she gave in. Some would say, "That's taking what you want," while others would say, "That was harassment." What he did was much in line with on-screen relationships in the 80's: the man dogs the woman to the point of nearly stalking, never taking no as an answer until she gives in and they're both happier for it.
Sammy Davis Jr. had a sizeable role in "Tap" if for no other reason than to show off his own set of tap dancing skills. I don't blame "Tap" for having the same problem every other dance movie has had. They accomplished their objective of showing off tap dancing even if it meant making a so-so movie.
