I was introduced to this film by a Jamaican friend who insisted I see the movie. It was a choice I was glad to have made. The story introduces us to normal, everyday people who are all well written and well acted. The storyline is about a woman who wants more for herself and wants more for her small family. Some people may have trouble with the language. I dont speak of the content of language but, the dialect. Some Jamaicans speak with the strong dialect known as "Patois" (pronounced pah-twah). This film is flavored with it. I did notice that at the start of Dancehall Queen, the language is difficult to understand but seemed to become much easier as the film progressed. Through the movie, we are exposed to some great Raggae music and some pretty intensive dance sequences. The setting and locales of the film are very scenic and adds character.The sub plots served to support an already strong story. I recommend this film to any fan of Caribbean or Jamaican culture.
16 Reviews
A universal story set in Jamaican (3rd world) culture
Fleppie21 April 2003
This is a good story about how a person can rise up and make something of him/herself.
The backdrop of Jamaican culture is brought to life quite nicely and I very much like the cultural influence be it they are pretty subtle. Being from the Caribbean myself, I can very much identify with much of the non-western cultural issues which aren't in-your-face obvious, but are definitely there. It might be handy to turn on subtitles because the accent will be very hard to understand if you have not been into contact with the Jamaican dialect much. The acting is pretty good, with my personal favorite being that of Rude-boy :) Don't expect an extremely good or complex plot, but it is a nice movie to watch.
Moral of the movie: You can be or become anything or anyone if you have a spec of talent and put hard work into it. (Which basically is the embodiment of the American dream right?)
The backdrop of Jamaican culture is brought to life quite nicely and I very much like the cultural influence be it they are pretty subtle. Being from the Caribbean myself, I can very much identify with much of the non-western cultural issues which aren't in-your-face obvious, but are definitely there. It might be handy to turn on subtitles because the accent will be very hard to understand if you have not been into contact with the Jamaican dialect much. The acting is pretty good, with my personal favorite being that of Rude-boy :) Don't expect an extremely good or complex plot, but it is a nice movie to watch.
Moral of the movie: You can be or become anything or anyone if you have a spec of talent and put hard work into it. (Which basically is the embodiment of the American dream right?)
Good fun!
joelcairo194115 August 2002
I have seen this film several times, as it gets surprisingly heavy rotation on cable television. Each time I catch it, I thoroughly enjoy it.
The story line is highly improbable, but it doesn't matter because the performances (acting and dancing) are top-drawer. It's a reminder that films about the ordinary struggles of common folk can be engaging without all the special effects that one finds in the Hollywood products of today.
The story line is highly improbable, but it doesn't matter because the performances (acting and dancing) are top-drawer. It's a reminder that films about the ordinary struggles of common folk can be engaging without all the special effects that one finds in the Hollywood products of today.
Jamaican Cult Classic
metorahtid-16 October 2005
I think the movie showed a side of Jamaica that often goes unnoticed in the tourism adds. I really liked Marcia, there was something real about her character. I also enjoyed the daughter, Tanya. She had spunk, and was a little more understandable.Paul Campbel is excellent in his role as Priest. The dialect was fun for me.. and if you watched the film on DVD you could use the subtitles as Jamaican Patios 101 (smile). The story is real however. I find that majority of the Jamaicans i meet who are working class or from a less affluent side of town love the film...The same doesn't always hold true from others though. Well if you want to be entertained...i think this is a very very entertaining movie and it showcases the darker side of Jamaica...while taking you into the "real dancehall".A definite must see
Caribbean Cinderella
islandlocs25 November 2006
Dancehall Queen is one of the best movies to come out of the Caribbean region that has become an underground classic; confirming that there are wonderful stories outside of the United States and Europe that are entertaining and have a universal appeal. Marcia is an ordinary street vendor who has ambitions and the hope to improve her life and that of her family. It is Cinderella with an island twist.
The nondescript woman goes through her daily existence scraping out a living in the ghetto. She is presented with the chance to earn a considerable amount of money on her own. She must transform into one of the dancehall queens, the colorful extroverted entertainers whose sensual moves are the pulse of the dancehall reggae scene. It appears that the garish outfits and wigs enable Marcia to hide behind her insecurities and she transforms into a seductress.
The film boasts a vicious character, Priest, that can rival any of the villains seen in the big budget Hollywood movies. The actor's portrayal of the rude boy is classic. The Jamaican dialect does not prevent you from enjoying a funny, entertaining film that that captures a slice of life not often seen. It embraces the cutting edge world of dancehall reggae sharing it with the entire world.
The nondescript woman goes through her daily existence scraping out a living in the ghetto. She is presented with the chance to earn a considerable amount of money on her own. She must transform into one of the dancehall queens, the colorful extroverted entertainers whose sensual moves are the pulse of the dancehall reggae scene. It appears that the garish outfits and wigs enable Marcia to hide behind her insecurities and she transforms into a seductress.
The film boasts a vicious character, Priest, that can rival any of the villains seen in the big budget Hollywood movies. The actor's portrayal of the rude boy is classic. The Jamaican dialect does not prevent you from enjoying a funny, entertaining film that that captures a slice of life not often seen. It embraces the cutting edge world of dancehall reggae sharing it with the entire world.
Exciting film
DominqueZarinha31 December 2002
This movie is about a street vendor who enters a dance contest. I loved this movie. Most people might not understand what they were saying but it was not about that. Once you followed the plot, you were sure not to be misled. I saw this about 16 times on video. I am a Caribbean native and I really enjoyed it. The dancing made me learn a few things and the sound-track was of the hook! As for the characters, the street vendor, Marcia, she was very funny! The daughters, Tasha and Tanya, cool. Larry and Priest were your typical villains! The story was smooth-flowing as well. My reason for watching it over and over was to see the dancing which was very good and to hear the same jokes over and over again. 9/10
Extremely entertaining if implausible
JohnSeal3 October 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This familiar rags to riches tale takes place in Jamaica, where struggling single mother Marcia (Audrey Reid) sells soda pop and beer outside the local dance hall. When her life becomes even more difficult thanks to the lousy men in her life, she takes matters into her own hands and enters a dance contest worth 100,000 Jamaican dollars. The film's premise rests on the rather flimsy proposition that no one recognizes the beer lady once she hits the stage, but the story is thoroughly engaging and the cast are superb. The attractive and expressive Reid is particularly notable, but kudos also to Paul Campbell as scum of the earth bad guy Priest, oily Carl Davis as Marcia's sugar daddy Larry, and Cherine Anderson as Marcia's brassy daughter Tanya. Being a bit of a reggae snob I didn't expect to enjoy the music, but the upbeat dancehall style is catchy and infectious, and the dancing scenes will certainly hold your attention.
a tale of triumph in the Jamaican ghetto
graphicgyrl25 June 2012
This is a heartwarming story. So often we watch stories about cultures we would never entertain being a part of but somewhere in the meat of the story we are drawn in. this story takes place in a Jamaican ghetto and shows us that even in the brash vivid stroked lives of those who live hand to mouth everyday there exists poetic justice and the charm of the unaffected life. The characters were believable and passionate.
I cried and laughed and commiserated with Marcia and her family and yes, found myself wishing that I too could have been there if only for a day. I loved the music and was surprised to find so much variety in dancehall music such as Chaka Demus' song "whats the move" and Beeniemans song "dancehall queen".
I cried and laughed and commiserated with Marcia and her family and yes, found myself wishing that I too could have been there if only for a day. I loved the music and was surprised to find so much variety in dancehall music such as Chaka Demus' song "whats the move" and Beeniemans song "dancehall queen".
Great!
sassybabe11530 November 2011
I watched Dance Hall Queen back when i was a little girl living in Florida, and it gets a lot easier to understand the accents the more you watch it. I recently watched it again and the message to women to be strong and sexy and standing your ground was still there even more now that I'm a 24 year old mother. If you love foreign, Indy type Genres, then you will love the quirkiness of the characters, and settings and hate the stone hearts of the villains.I found myself each time cheering for the Main character, and I love her transformation from hobo looking street vendor, to sexy, dazzling beauty. I also liked seeing a women who had her own even if it was just a little to some, and got more herself.
Accents Hard to Understand but Good Story and Acting
Devans004 April 2001
I often found the accents hard to understand. I could understand the "educated" daughter better than the street vendor mother. But the expressiveness and good acting of the star helped me out. I also enjoyed seeing a view onto a culture I wasn't familiar with. Funny how some things are universal, though. (Shady men taking advantage of poor women)
The ending was poetic justice.
The ending was poetic justice.
Paul Campbell..Great Actor
chineefood20 January 2009
I saw this movie about 12 yrs ago when i used to live in Guyana...It was a big hit down there when it was first launched..The movie contains some of the best reggae music such as the original Joyride Riddim and old school Beenie Man reggae hits... The story line is great which contains some original Caribbean/Westindian acting.Too badd they never made a follow up movie during that era.I have to give Paul Campbell 2 thumbs up for his great performance.I remember meeting him by my neighbours house and he was asking my wife to babysit his kids while he was visiting his family..Great guy and great movie.Best wishes to him and his acting career.Hope to see more of him in Hollywood.
Jamaican Cinderella story
rajulkabir14 November 2000
No fancy Hollywood production values, no special effects, not even the particularly outstanding acting grace Dancehall Queen. But the movie does have a great score - and I know nothing about reggae, wouldn't even call myself a fan. Add to that the fun of trying to make sense of the lilting Jamaican accent and you've got time well spent. The first few minutes I had no idea what anyone was saying. Somewhere along the line, and I didn't even notice transition, everyone's lines were coming through clear as a bell. It's a treat for the ears, and an interesting peek into the sometimes seamy, sometimes violent, sometimes charming life on the island.
dance hall queen-best film ever
natnats26 April 2005
this is the best film in the world!it is about a poor street vendor who finds some Gd luck for herself when she enters the world of dance hall!i was hooked since the first time i saw this film!it is very influencing!what makes the film so good is the dancing and the great songs!i have just got the soundtrack and it is wicked!my favourite song is the song were they say "beenie check olivine" i am only in my teens and teens and this is my favourite films.it kinda shows me my roots because my grandparents come from Jamaica it shows you that no matter who you are you can be anything you wanna be!my favourite is Marcia she is so funny!and Larry is such a fool!Tanya and Tasha are so funny!Esp in the kentucke fried chicken part!!but this is a must see film i watch it like everyday!i am going to Jamaica for my birthday in august and dance hall queen was an inspiration!
Vindicated street vender
clivebaptiste2 May 2022
My beautiful Ghetto sisters, let this be a story on natural beauty and rude boys man up and don't fall for the hair n make up, it beings out the worst in all of us. Who ever played Priest Is your new fan. More dance hall movies.
BumbaStaaaaar!!!
ThunderKing622 November 2020
Dis was di baddest movie inna movie player ever.
From dancing, singing to story to characters . Dancehall Queen is Gold.
It has tons of drama and bod man ting a gwan. You suspect dons to be dons and dons end up meeting expectations.
A blessed movie dis to watch and digest.
Verdict: if you don't like bodmine ting. Don't watch. Go watch paw patrol instead.
From dancing, singing to story to characters . Dancehall Queen is Gold.
It has tons of drama and bod man ting a gwan. You suspect dons to be dons and dons end up meeting expectations.
A blessed movie dis to watch and digest.
Verdict: if you don't like bodmine ting. Don't watch. Go watch paw patrol instead.
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