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.
For those of us who watched Dirty Dancing on the big screen when it was first released, watching it today is almost heartbreakingly nostalgic. The story takes place, after all, in 1963, "before Kennedy was assassinated", and when it seemed the world retained its innocence. Jennifer Grey plays Frances Houseman, known to everyone as "Baby", and not minding it at all. Patrick Swayze is Johnny Castle, the street punk who has the moves as the dance instructor at the resort.
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.
Baby has done what she believes is the right thing, but it causes a painful rift between her Dad and her growing understanding of herself. She finds herself offering to stand in for Penny, mostly so Johnny won't lose his "gig". With some really intense lessons from the pro, they develop a pretty stunning routine of their own. Yes, Baby falls in love.
Meanwhile, the Foxtrot and badminton go on, but other dramas are playing out. Lisa confides to Baby that she's planning to "go all the way" with Robbie. Baby knows that Robbie is the father of Penny's aborted child, but their father thinks Johnny is the culprit. When Johnny is accused of theft by one of his many female "conquests" - she's seen him with Baby - he is assumed guilty by almost everyone. Baby knows, and this time Frances tells the truth. Frances, as Johnny tells her, is "a grown-up name".
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!
The movie's title can apply to all the different scenarios that unfold as the story progresses. The actual dance scenes, including the "instruction" of Baby by Johnny in the correct steps and attitudes, are beautifully choreographed and entirely believable. Dirty Dancing is far from dirty. It is sensuous and sexual but somehow innocent - and very, very attractive! Patrick Swayze is irresistible, and Jennifer Grey is the epitome of the na?ve but innately sensual girl becoming a woman.
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! - 16003
For those of us who watched Dirty Dancing on the big screen when it was first released, watching it today is almost heartbreakingly nostalgic. The story takes place, after all, in 1963, "before Kennedy was assassinated", and when it seemed the world retained its innocence. Jennifer Grey plays Frances Houseman, known to everyone as "Baby", and not minding it at all. Patrick Swayze is Johnny Castle, the street punk who has the moves as the dance instructor at the resort.
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.
Baby has done what she believes is the right thing, but it causes a painful rift between her Dad and her growing understanding of herself. She finds herself offering to stand in for Penny, mostly so Johnny won't lose his "gig". With some really intense lessons from the pro, they develop a pretty stunning routine of their own. Yes, Baby falls in love.
Meanwhile, the Foxtrot and badminton go on, but other dramas are playing out. Lisa confides to Baby that she's planning to "go all the way" with Robbie. Baby knows that Robbie is the father of Penny's aborted child, but their father thinks Johnny is the culprit. When Johnny is accused of theft by one of his many female "conquests" - she's seen him with Baby - he is assumed guilty by almost everyone. Baby knows, and this time Frances tells the truth. Frances, as Johnny tells her, is "a grown-up name".
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!
The movie's title can apply to all the different scenarios that unfold as the story progresses. The actual dance scenes, including the "instruction" of Baby by Johnny in the correct steps and attitudes, are beautifully choreographed and entirely believable. Dirty Dancing is far from dirty. It is sensuous and sexual but somehow innocent - and very, very attractive! Patrick Swayze is irresistible, and Jennifer Grey is the epitome of the na?ve but innately sensual girl becoming a woman.
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! - 16003
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 the world.
