Director: Emile Ardolino
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, and Jerry Orbach
Released: 1987
Box Office Gross: $63,892,689 (USA)
Throwback Review
"Nobody puts Baby in a corner" - the most quotable line from this film and arguably one of the most quoted lines from a film (as it's been used in numerous forms of pop culture including songs, television shows, and movies). Though it's the first thing most people remember about the movie, there's so much more to this low-budget 80s flick.
It's the summer of 1963 and Frances "Baby" Houseman (Grey) is vacationing with her wealthy family at Kellerman's, a summer resort. The well-intentioned Baby (who was named after Frances Perkins, the first woman in the US Cabinet) is about to attend college with plans of one day joining the Peace Corps. She develops a crush on Johnny Castle (Swayze) after seeing him at one of the staff's secret after-hours parties partaking in "dirty dancing". She is enthralled by the culture that these less-fortunate workers have created and quickly finds herself involved in their lives.
Baby learns that Johnny's dance partner, Penny (Cynthia Rhodes), is pregnant and is desperate to get an abortion but can't afford it. Baby gets the money from her father Dr. Jake Houseman (Orbach) - who is unaware of the intent for this money - to pay for Penny's illegal abortion. Baby also becomes Penny's substitute dancer as they (Penny and Johnny) need to participate in a showcase at the Sheldrake, a nearby resort, in order to receive their summer bonus. Johnny must train Baby to learn the required routine and the two begin to spend a lot of time together. Emotions run strong between the pair as they learn to understand the differences in each others lives and to work together.
In a sense, this film is not only a love story, it's also a coming of age story about a teenage girl learning to become her own woman. Grey was perfectly cast in the role of the demure yet strong-willed Baby. The chemistry between her and Swayze was phenomenal. They shined as dancing partners as well as love interests. Swayze's significant background in dance helped him secure this role and it has become one of his most recognizable characters.
The story has been done time and time again. But there was something magical about this film that has made it one of the most successful films from the 80s. It was a low-budget film that turned out to be a box office hit. It was the first film to sell more than a million copies on home video (remember those?), it was the number one rented video in 1988, and it spawned two multi-platinum soundtracks ((I've Had) The Time of my Life won a Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1988).
Everything about this movie works: from the acting (the actors did a lot with a cheesy plot), the music, the dancing - everything was wonderful. It's the type of film that appeals to people of all ages and is a timeless classic. It is one of those films that when you see it on TV, you can't help but watch it even though you've seen it numerous times.
Final Verdict: See it. If you haven't already (not many people haven't seen this film) you are definitely missing out on one of the biggest cult classics in pop culture history. It's been over 25 years and the film is still a favourite amongst audiences. There are talks of a remake, but that has recently been put on the back-burner (hopefully it stays there). Some movies should never been revisited or remade (hello - Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights I'm talking to you!).
No comments:
Post a Comment