Prismark10 White Nights is helped greatly by the Phil Collins title track and the dancing between the leads although the basic storyline is both intriguing and silly.A Russian ballet dancer (Baryshnikov) turned defector finds his Tokyo bound plane has crash landed suddenly in the Soviet Union and the KGB are in no mood to forget his lack of patriotism.The KGB get Baryshnikov to live with a black American defector (Gregory Hines) but amidst some verbal sparring they both decide to escape. Helen Mirren plays a former love interest of Baryshnikov who feels betrayed by him.The latter part of the film is a cliché spy film plot as our protagonists try to escape the Russians. However the film is an excuse to see Baryshnikov in his pomp doing what he was known for best. Ballet Dancing as well as busting some moves with Hines, himself a noted Jazz/Tap dancer.Both actors were underutilised by Hollywood for their dancing skills and although the plot is basic (Hines reason to leave America looks a tad weak) both actors play well against each other, ably supported by Mirren and Rossellini. The film is kitschy fun with a dated 80s style.

Jamonamax Can anyone tell me what scene in the movie uses the popular version of the song Say You Say Me? I thought I had remembered that it was during the main dance sequence between the two men but that sounds like a completely different song. When I see the movie on TV, I never hear the song except over the credits. I feel like I'm going crazy. I understand that the song never appeared on the movie soundtrack album because the record label was different from Richie's own label and they didn't want profits for a hit single going somewhere else first. And I could have sworn that when I first saw the movie the song was prominent in the movie itself. I don't know if I'm seeing truncated versions of the movie now or if the song was moved or if I'm just misremembering. Anybody know?

spam_chaconne Baryshinikov is the one of the best male dancers of all time. This movie allows you to see him up close and view his "process" for dancing. You can't help but watch in awe at his amazing athletic and physical feats... from the very first scene where you see him slowly lower his entire body from a headstand to lying down to seeing him dance "en pointe" in what appear to be a pair of "Keds". It isn't just seeing the dances that is amazing. It is the opportunity to see the dances from the perspective of an "insider who is sitting right there next to him -- as opposed to watching him from the audience.This is dancing "eye candy" at its finest -- my favorite escape movie of all time.

elisa-liv The two giant and opposing nations of the Cold War, Russia and the United States of America, are represented through the protagonists of "White Nights". Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov are two superb dancers who act in the film, and delight the viewer through artistic communication. The emotion evoked by their performances is unparalleled; feelings of despair, frustration, anger and desire for freedom are all present in their body-language. The title of the film refers to a natural occurrence, present in northern Russia: The White Nights are a phenomenon which lasts a few weeks between Spring and Summer. During this time, there is light for most the night; after sunset and during twilight, it looks white and clear... a white night. This film is truly worth watching, I own it and am glad. Not only does it possess a grand artistic value, but also a great story from a historical period in which one's life was completely controlled by political agreements. It is in this Orwellian society, that human values arise and struggle for survival... do not miss it!