1999
After her mother's death, aspiring ballerina Sara moves to Baltimore, where she falls for talented dancer Patrick, who helps her fuse hip-hop with ballet while she encourages his academic dreams. Their relationship navigates racial tensions, an ex-girlfriend, and the dangerous influence of Patrick's friend Malakai, leading to a shooting and a temporary rift when Patrick prioritizes his friends over Sara's Juilliard audition. On the night of Sara's audition, Patrick leaves Malakai's car before a fatal crash, realizing the importance of his future and arriving to support Sara as she performs a unique ballet-hip-hop fusion. Sara is accepted into Juilliard, and the film concludes with her and Patrick dancing together at their senior prom, celebrating their individual successes and enduring love.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Sara Johnson, a ballet dancer displaced in a new urban school, struggles to fit in until she discovers the underground club scene and befriends Patrick, a local youth.
Open full beat sheetSara Johnson is listed as Protagonist. 17-year-old aspiring ballerina, recently moved to Baltimore. In the parsed data, Sara Johnson is connected to 83 scenes, 79 dialogue lines, 80 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
83 scenes / 79 dialogue linesPatrick Reynolds is listed as Love Interest. High school student, smart, talented, and popular. In the parsed data, Patrick Reynolds is connected to 57 scenes, 70 dialogue lines, 72 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
57 scenes / 70 dialogue linesChenille is listed as Sara's Friend. A student at Patterson High, single mother, protective friend. In the parsed data, Chenille is connected to 30 scenes, 58 dialogue lines, 69 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
30 scenes / 58 dialogue linesMalakai Rhinehart is listed as Antagonist. Patrick's troubled childhood friend, involved in criminal activity. In the parsed data, Malakai Rhinehart is connected to 20 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
20 scenes / 16 dialogue linesNikki Davis is listed as Antagonist. Popular student, former girlfriend of Patrick. In the parsed data, Nikki Davis is connected to 17 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
17 scenes / 12 dialogue linesRoy Johnson is listed as Sara's Father. A musician, somewhat estranged from his daughter. In the parsed data, Roy Johnson is connected to 13 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
13 scenes / 16 dialogue linesSnookie Ricard is listed as Supporting Character. Patrick's friend, comic relief. In the parsed data, Snookie Ricard is connected to 13 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
13 scenes / 15 dialogue linesDiggy is listed as Supporting Character. A student at Patterson High, part of Chenille's circle. In the parsed data, Diggy is connected to 9 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
9 scenes / 5 dialogue linesGlynn Johnson is listed as Sara's Mother. Deceased, Sara's primary inspiration and support. In the parsed data, Glynn Johnson is connected to 3 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
3 scenes / 4 dialogue linesLindsay is listed as Sara's Friend. Sara's best friend from Exeter. In the parsed data, Lindsay is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 39.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesAn Amtrak train travels through the Pennsylvania countryside with Sara Johnson looking out the window.
Sara JohnsonSara sits on the train and interacts with a woman who notices her ballet magazine.
Sara JohnsonFlashback to young Sara performing in a kindergarten recital while her mother watches.
Sara Johnson, Glynn JohnsonFlashback to Sara as a young girl dancing in class while her mother watches.
Sara Johnson, Glynn JohnsonSara practices dance at home and expresses frustration to her mother about her performance.
Sara Johnson, Glynn JohnsonSara sits with the nerds, feeling out of place, until Chenille rescues her.
Sara Johnson, Chenille, DiggySara and Chenille talk in the quad; Patrick and Malakai interact.
Sara Johnson, Patrick Reynolds, Chenille, Malakai Rhinehart, Snookie Ricard, Nikki DavisSara leaves school with Chenille and is embarrassed by her father.
Sara Johnson, Roy Johnson, ChenilleSara rides home with Roy, feeling annoyed.
Sara Johnson, Roy JohnsonSara tries to organize her room and interacts with Roy.
Sara Johnson, Roy JohnsonSara is overwhelmed by the state of the apartment.
Sara JohnsonSara cleans the apartment and hides her ballet shoes.
Sara JohnsonPatrick, Chenille, and Snookie walk to school.
Patrick Reynolds, Chenille, Snookie RicardSara rides the bus to school.
Sara JohnsonSara arrives at school and sees Patrick.
Sara Johnson, Patrick Reynolds, Chenille, Snookie RicardStudents enter the school.
Patrick Reynolds, Chenille, Snookie RicardSara is paired with Patrick for chemistry lab.
Sara Johnson, Patrick ReynoldsSara and Patrick have a lab accident.
Sara Johnson, Patrick ReynoldsSara impresses the class with her dance skills.
Sara Johnson, Chenille, Nikki Davis, DiggyChenille invites Sara to a club.
Sara Johnson, Patrick Reynolds, Chenille, Snookie Ricard, DiggySara prepares to go out.
Sara Johnson, Roy JohnsonSara walks to the projects.
Sara JohnsonSara arrives at the projects.
Sara JohnsonSara meets Chenille's family.
Sara Johnson, ChenilleSara and Chenille talk in the cab.
Sara Johnson, ChenilleSara and Chenille prepare to enter the club.
Sara Johnson, ChenilleSara and Chenille enter Feetz.
Sara Johnson, ChenilleSara and Chenille take the elevator down.
Sara Johnson, ChenilleSara and Chenille arrive at the club.
Sara Johnson, Chenille, Nikki DavisChenille confronts a man, then joins Sara at a table where they encounter Nikki and her crew.
Chenille, Sara Johnson, Nikki Davis, DiggyPatrick and Malakai arrive at the club.
Patrick Reynolds, Malakai RhinehartChenille confronts Kenny, Patrick breaks up with Nikki, and Patrick dances with Sara.
Chenille, Sara Johnson, Patrick Reynolds, Nikki DavisMalakai starts a fight with two dealers, and Patrick joins in to help him.
Malakai Rhinehart, Patrick Reynolds, Sara Johnson, Chenille, DiggyPatrick and Malakai exit the club after the fight and argue about Malakai's behavior.
Patrick Reynolds, Malakai RhinehartSara, Chenille, and Diggy wait for Patrick.
Sara Johnson, Chenille, Diggy, Patrick ReynoldsPatrick walks Sara home.
Sara Johnson, Patrick Reynolds, ChenilleSara and Roy have breakfast and a tense conversation.
Sara Johnson, Roy JohnsonPatrick and Sara meet at the record store.
Patrick Reynolds, Sara Johnson, Snookie RicardSara talks to Lindsay on the phone.
Sara Johnson, LindsaySara witnesses a fight and meets Toni.
Sara JohnsonSara finds Roy with a woman.
Sara Johnson, Roy JohnsonSara reflects on her mother.
Sara JohnsonPatrick works at the car wash and encounters Malakai and Tute.
Patrick Reynolds, Malakai RhinehartPatrick returns home from work, eats, and checks his mail, finding nothing.
Patrick ReynoldsMrs. Gwynn advises Patrick on the realities of college and changing his life.
Patrick ReynoldsMontage of students discussing their future plans with Mrs. Gwynn.
Snookie Ricard, Diggy, Chenille, Malakai Rhinehart, Nikki Davis, Sara JohnsonPatrick and Sara dance and talk about their futures and pasts.
Patrick Reynolds, Sara JohnsonSara talks to Lindsay on the phone about her life in Baltimore.
Sara Johnson, LindsayPatrick confronts Chenille and Kenny about their parenting.
Patrick Reynolds, ChenilleSara witnesses Malakai coercing a girl in the bathroom.
Sara Johnson, Malakai RhinehartSara and Patrick practice dancing and discuss their pasts.
Sara Johnson, Patrick ReynoldsPatrick receives his college acceptance letter.
Patrick Reynolds, ChenilleSara and Patrick go on a date and exchange gifts.
Sara Johnson, Patrick ReynoldsPatrick takes Sara to the ballet.
Sara Johnson, Patrick ReynoldsSara and Patrick watch the performance.
Sara Johnson, Patrick ReynoldsSara confesses the truth about her mother's death to Patrick.
Sara Johnson, Patrick ReynoldsPatrick walks Sara home and they kiss.
Sara Johnson, Patrick ReynoldsSara decides to dance again.
Sara JohnsonSara and Patrick practice dancing.
Sara Johnson, Patrick ReynoldsPatrick and Sara talk about her dancing, her Juilliard application, and her lack of confidence.
Sara Johnson, Patrick ReynoldsMontage of Sara practicing dance.
Sara JohnsonMontage of Sara practicing with Patrick.
Sara Johnson, Patrick ReynoldsMontage of Sara in dance class.
Sara JohnsonMontage of Sara practicing while walking.
Sara JohnsonMontage of Sara practicing alone.
Sara JohnsonMontage of Sara practicing alone.
Sara JohnsonMontage of Sara tending to her feet.
Sara JohnsonSara and Patrick leave Roy's apartment.
Sara Johnson, Roy Johnson, Patrick ReynoldsSara and Patrick dance at the club.
Sara Johnson, Patrick Reynolds, Chenille, Snookie Ricard, Nikki Davis, DiggyNikki interrupts Patrick and Sara.
Sara Johnson, Patrick Reynolds, Malakai Rhinehart, Nikki DavisSara and Patrick go to her room.
Sara Johnson, Patrick ReynoldsSara and Patrick walk to class together.
Sara Johnson, Patrick ReynoldsToni warns Sara about dating Patrick.
Sara JohnsonPatrick meets with his friends and Malakai.
Patrick Reynolds, Malakai Rhinehart, Snookie RicardRoy catches Sara and Patrick.
Sara Johnson, Roy Johnson, Patrick ReynoldsMalakai manipulates Nikki.
Patrick Reynolds, Malakai Rhinehart, Nikki DavisMalakai invites Patrick to play basketball.
Patrick Reynolds, Malakai RhinehartSara plays basketball.
Sara Johnson, Chenille, Nikki DavisPatrick plays basketball.
Patrick Reynolds, Malakai Rhinehart, Snookie RicardSara and Nikki fight.
Sara Johnson, Nikki DavisBlack people, Sara. Black women. Patrick's about somethin'. He's smart. He's motivated. He's for real. He ain't gonna make no babies and not take care of 'em or run the streets, fuck up his life. He's gonna do somethin' with himself. Here you come, white and right, and you take one of the few decent men left after jail, drugs and drive-bys. That's what Nikki meant about you up in our world.
Well, it ain't like I deserve a perfect daughter. I screwed up. Did everything in a hurry and still thought I had all the time in the world. To be in love with your mother. Be a father to you. But time flies. You look up one day and all you got to show for yourself is a pretty little girl who hates your guts and won't talk to you because too much time went by.
I'ma shut up... after I say it been real frigid 'round here since y'all broke up. 'Specially since she broke up with you. That was harsh, way she canceled your ass like a stamp for that Howard U dude. But their shit's over. Now might be the time to forget mistakes that was made. Shoot. You been with the girl since ninth grade.
You already skipped three meetings. Is it because of me? Everybody on the committee thinks it's because of me. Us. Look, Patrick. Regardless. You're in charge of the music. I'm in charge of the prom. So show up. Don't make me fire your ass.
... I know you're new to the table, but think about it. We're the Y2K generation and nobody takes us seriously. We don't take ourselves seriously. Just look around. Half the student body is D.O.A. -- and that's from the neck up, Clara.
Well, open your pretty brown eyes, look the hell around. Everything's screwed up. Nobody wants to see us together, not even Chenille. I don't know why they feel that way. How can I know? Maybe they have a point, Patrick.
It's not supposed to be fine. It's supposed to be special. And it just lays there, it doesn't do anything. I bet they notice that. That it doesn't do anything. That I don't do anything special enough to get in.
You want him there. I understand that. But whatever he brings to the table, Patrick can't dance for you, Sara. You're the bottom line out there. This is your chance to be the dancer Juilliard came to see.
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