The film Dirty Dancing came out in 1987, and its story takes place even earlier, but this deceptively titled little masterpiece took the moviegoers of the world by surprise. With a cast of characters played by relatively unknown actors, and not much of a budget, it has proven to be a continuing delight. The fact that it has grossed over $300 million and set a record of more than a million sales of home videos might tell you something. The fact that it engendered two multi-platinum albums and untold singles tells you even more.
The dancing in this movie is certainly "dirty" by most popular standards of 1963, when it takes place. Foxtrot it is not. Mambo to the max is more like it. If you were old enough to see the movie when it first appeared, watching it now is a "trip", and a really good one! The main characters are Frances Houseman, known to family and friends as "Baby", and Johnny Castle, a hunk of a dance instructor. Jennifer Grey is the perfect actress for the role of "Baby", and Patrick Swayze emerges into stardom with his portrayal of Johnny Castle.
The dancing and all its side effects take place at a resort in the Catskills, where the Houseman family is taking a summer vacation. Baby's father is Dr. Houseman, physician to the rather sycophantic owner of Kellerman's Resort. His wife and Baby's older sister, Lisa, are relatively minor characters but each contributes to the subplot of the film. Baby's fascination with the dance instructor, Johnny Castle, and his partner Penny gets her and her family involved with "those people", and the fun begins.
Watching Johnny and his partner, Penny, do their riveting (and deliciously dirty) Mambo number at a staff party, Baby is entranced. But when Penny falls prey to the owner's son, and has an illegal and life-threatening abortion, Baby gets her father involved, and it appears to be curtains for her growing attraction to the irresistible Johnny.
But Baby also has the moves, as she and Johnny find out together when she offers to fill in for his partner so he won't lose his job. Both of them have doubts, but Johnny is a peerless teacher, and Baby quickly learns to trust him - and falls in love, of course.
While all this is happening, Baby's older sister is getting ready to "go all the way" with Robbie, son of the resort owner, though we have learned that Robbie is the guilty cause of the dancer's abortion, but feels no guilt. When another woman who has carnal designs on Johnny spies him embracing Baby, spite leads her to accuse Johnny of the theft of a patron's wallet. Johnny is assumed to be the culprit until Baby tells her father and the irate resort owner that Johnny couldn't have done it because he was in his room all night - with her!
The "dirty dancing" that these two wonderfully believable young people supply is so entrancing because it is both sensual and sophisticated, yet still has a purity that defies any element of sleaze. It is just a joy to watch them together. The grand finale has the entire clientele of Kellerman's on their feet and getting into the spirit in a big way. It's a triumph of courage over self-doubt, and love over any darn thing that stands in its way!
Dirty Dancing is basically a simple, romantic love story, with just enough supporting characters and interwoven plot lines to keep it interesting. When the forces of stodginess and intolerance show up, they are ultimately and emphatically overwhelmed by the forces of love and fair play. The realistically choreographed dance scenes are a powerful force in themselves, but everything comes together for a rousing happy ending.
This simple boy-meets-girl and goodness-wins-out Hollywood production has proved to be much more than it ever aspired to be. The Broadway musical adaptation of Dirty Dancing has done well in Europe, Australia and Canada, and is still showing in London. You can also catch the touring production in Boston until March 15th. If you miss the show, you need to get the movie. It's a winner! - 17913
The dancing in this movie is certainly "dirty" by most popular standards of 1963, when it takes place. Foxtrot it is not. Mambo to the max is more like it. If you were old enough to see the movie when it first appeared, watching it now is a "trip", and a really good one! The main characters are Frances Houseman, known to family and friends as "Baby", and Johnny Castle, a hunk of a dance instructor. Jennifer Grey is the perfect actress for the role of "Baby", and Patrick Swayze emerges into stardom with his portrayal of Johnny Castle.
The dancing and all its side effects take place at a resort in the Catskills, where the Houseman family is taking a summer vacation. Baby's father is Dr. Houseman, physician to the rather sycophantic owner of Kellerman's Resort. His wife and Baby's older sister, Lisa, are relatively minor characters but each contributes to the subplot of the film. Baby's fascination with the dance instructor, Johnny Castle, and his partner Penny gets her and her family involved with "those people", and the fun begins.
Watching Johnny and his partner, Penny, do their riveting (and deliciously dirty) Mambo number at a staff party, Baby is entranced. But when Penny falls prey to the owner's son, and has an illegal and life-threatening abortion, Baby gets her father involved, and it appears to be curtains for her growing attraction to the irresistible Johnny.
But Baby also has the moves, as she and Johnny find out together when she offers to fill in for his partner so he won't lose his job. Both of them have doubts, but Johnny is a peerless teacher, and Baby quickly learns to trust him - and falls in love, of course.
While all this is happening, Baby's older sister is getting ready to "go all the way" with Robbie, son of the resort owner, though we have learned that Robbie is the guilty cause of the dancer's abortion, but feels no guilt. When another woman who has carnal designs on Johnny spies him embracing Baby, spite leads her to accuse Johnny of the theft of a patron's wallet. Johnny is assumed to be the culprit until Baby tells her father and the irate resort owner that Johnny couldn't have done it because he was in his room all night - with her!
The "dirty dancing" that these two wonderfully believable young people supply is so entrancing because it is both sensual and sophisticated, yet still has a purity that defies any element of sleaze. It is just a joy to watch them together. The grand finale has the entire clientele of Kellerman's on their feet and getting into the spirit in a big way. It's a triumph of courage over self-doubt, and love over any darn thing that stands in its way!
Dirty Dancing is basically a simple, romantic love story, with just enough supporting characters and interwoven plot lines to keep it interesting. When the forces of stodginess and intolerance show up, they are ultimately and emphatically overwhelmed by the forces of love and fair play. The realistically choreographed dance scenes are a powerful force in themselves, but everything comes together for a rousing happy ending.
This simple boy-meets-girl and goodness-wins-out Hollywood production has proved to be much more than it ever aspired to be. The Broadway musical adaptation of Dirty Dancing has done well in Europe, Australia and Canada, and is still showing in London. You can also catch the touring production in Boston until March 15th. If you miss the show, you need to get the movie. It's a winner! - 17913
About the Author:
Written by Matt Ryan, sponsored by StubPass.com. StubPass sells Dirty Dancing Tickets, sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets, Musical Tickets and many more tickets to your favorite events around your area.
