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Slow Dancing in the Big City

  • 1978
  • PG
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
294
YOUR RATING
Slow Dancing in the Big City (1978)
An aging out of shape reporter falls for a pretty but seriously ill ballerina.
Play trailer3:07
1 Video
15 Photos
DramaMusicalRomance

An aging out of shape reporter falls for a pretty but seriously ill ballerina.An aging out of shape reporter falls for a pretty but seriously ill ballerina.An aging out of shape reporter falls for a pretty but seriously ill ballerina.

  • Director
    • John G. Avildsen
  • Writer
    • Barra Grant
  • Stars
    • Paul Sorvino
    • Anne Ditchburn
    • Nicolas Coster
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.5/10
    294
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John G. Avildsen
    • Writer
      • Barra Grant
    • Stars
      • Paul Sorvino
      • Anne Ditchburn
      • Nicolas Coster
    • 11User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 3:07
    Trailer

    Photos15

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    Top cast49

    Edit
    Paul Sorvino
    Paul Sorvino
    • Lou Friedlander
    Anne Ditchburn
    Anne Ditchburn
    • Sarah Gantz
    Nicolas Coster
    Nicolas Coster
    • David Fillmore
    Anita Dangler
    Anita Dangler
    • Franny
    Thaao Penghlis
    Thaao Penghlis
    • Christopher
    Linda Selman
    • Barbara Bass
    Héctor Mercado
    Héctor Mercado
    • Roger Lucas
    • (as Héctor Jaime Mercado)
    Dick Carballo
    • George Washington Monero
    Jack Ramage
    • Doctor Foster
    Adam Gifford
    Adam Gifford
    • Marty Olivera
    • (as G. Adam Gifford)
    Brenda K. Starr
    Brenda K. Starr
    • Punk
    • (as Brenda Joy Kaplan)
    Daniel Faraldo
    Daniel Faraldo
    • T.C. Olivera
    Michael Gorrin
    Michael Gorrin
    • Lester Edelman
    Tara Mitton
    • Diana
    Matt Russo
    • Jeck Guffy
    Bill Conti
    Bill Conti
    • Rehearsal Pianist
    Richard Jamieson
    • Joe Christy
    Susan Doukas
    • Nurse
    • Director
      • John G. Avildsen
    • Writer
      • Barra Grant
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews11

    5.5294
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    Featured reviews

    michyh

    Nice Little Romantic Film

    I only saw this movie once as a teenager when we had "ON" pay television (before SelectTV, and then inevitably, cable). It was the last showing and I stayed up until 2 am to watch it.

    Needless to say, after all these years it has stuck in my mind. I loved Paul Sorvino as the lonely, heart of gold newspaper guy and Anne Ditchburn as the vulnerable ballerina. In my minds eye I remember it as a quietly executed romantic film. This is one to watch on a rainy day curled up in a blanket with a cup of tea.

    After my first and only viewing I had hoped to see it again, and waited patiently, looking for a listing in the TV guide week after week.

    Unfortunately, after approximately 20 years I am still waiting. I sincerely wish that they would re-release this film again. Perfect for die hard romantics.
    michael-lynch-01

    SLOW DANCING--where is it?

    I saw this film years ago and it was John G. Avilsden's first film after ROCKY. I for one was blown away at the time and there is some great dancing in it and a good love story. Also, the soundtrack is awesome (I have the original on vinyl 33) and should be re-released on cd. Would also like to see the film released on dvd--alomg with Avilsden's other neglected work: THE FORMULA Brando/Scott. This was Paul Sorvino's finest hour on screen and I remember coming out of the cinema extremely moved--true, you may love this film or hate it-depends what kind of a soul you have. Slow Dancing never even turns up on Tv --What happened to this movie and are there any other fans of it out there?
    10lovewine

    Man Falls in Love with Dancer

    This is a wonderful movie. I've only seen it twice, and I've been looking for it again for ever. I'd buy it if I could find it. While it's sad, it shows three things -- how much a man can love a woman, how hard some people want something and how hard people work to overcome their limitations.
    8Dr. Cumin

    A Guilty pleasure

    When you read about this film you wanna cringe. I have seen it countless times and yet I cringe myself! So what is the attraction here? I think that for me, it's the offbeatness of the romance. I find it super refreshing to have an oddball coupling between this NYC Jimmy-Breslin-like columnist and a down-on-her-luck (health-wise) ballerina. You feel embarrassed for Paul Sorvino at his unsubtle approach to wooing this woman. Like the guy in the bar who can't take a hint. He's a bit overweight (at least as a would-be suitor for a ballerina. Hope that doesn't sound unkind) and possibly a tad too old for her. Nice change of pace from Greek God wooing Super-model. The Bill Conti score has stuck in my head all these years later, which is a pretty good sign. However some of the acting is just dreadful. A subplot involving a young Puerto-Rican boy befriended by Sorvino's character is just hilariously bad. But the opening scene where Ditchburn is warming up to Carole King draws you right into this story. Good luck finding it. You'd think that Lifetime would be re-airing this or even WE, but I haven't seen it on in quite a few years.
    SMOKEYLO

    Slow Dancing in the Big City,a very good movie

    It has been a long time since i have seen this movie. I thought the story line was very good and the dancing was also. It was a sad love story, story of illness and dancers strength and courage to follow their dreams. Paul Sorvino is a great actor and is good in everything i have seen him in, he has come a long way in his career since then.Hector Jaime Mercado who played Roger Lucas the dancer and I grew up together and I remember the dreams of a dancer first hand.To me this was a very good movie and cast. I would love to see it on T.V. again after all these years, I think people will enjoy to see it again also. Thank You for letting me put in my input on "Slow Dancing in the Big City"

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music (1965)
    Musical
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The movie had never been released on any home video format until Kino/Scorpion released it on DVD and Blu-ray in November 2021.
    • Goofs
      The name "David Falt" is incorrect, it is in fact "David Fatt" That's with two t's not LT. He can also be found in the credits of "Squirm".
    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: The Wild Geese/A Dream of Passion/Goin' Coconuts/Slow Dancing in the Big City/Violette (1978)
    • Soundtracks
      Blue Evening
      Written by Gordon Jenkins and Joe Bishop

      Performed by Michael Dees

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 16, 1979 (West Germany)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Mit dir in einer großen Stadt
    • Filming locations
      • New York, USA
    • Production company
      • CIP
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,576,500
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $11,335
      • Nov 12, 1978
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 50m(110 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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