When this low budget film, with a cast of unknown actors and actresses, came out in 1987, it took a whole lot of critics and moviegoers by surprise and by storm. The amazing part is that it manages to surprise and delight audiences to this day. This film has brought in more than three hundred million dollars from all over the world, and set a record in home video sales as the first to sell more than a million copies. The soundtrack produced two multi-platinum albums and a huge number of singles.
The secret seems to be a combination of qualities. Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey are a scintillating couple when they get going, and they certainly do! The scene is set in 1963, when the world (at least the United States) still held on to something like innocence. Jennifer Grey is well cast as Frances Houseman, a not-quite-typical Jewish Princess who is known as "Baby" and doesn't see a thing wrong with it. Patrick Swayze dazzles with his portrayal of the sexy but determinedly sullen 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.
Baby's naivet? is matched not only by her growing attraction to Johnny, but also by her desire to "change the world". When Penny has an illegal abortion, Baby gets her father to save the dancer's life. Dr. Houseman is horrified that his "Baby" is mixed up in this. To make it worse, he assumes that Johnny is responsible, and forbids her to have anything further to do with him.
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.
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".
Everybody grows up in this film, in one way or another. It's a triumph of love, with Johnny coming back to the resort for his traditional "last dance" of the season, even though he has been fired. When he pulls Baby out onto the stage - from her family's table, and in front of the whole Kellerman assembly, the "dirty dancing" they perform is truly a dazzling sight to behold, and indeed the entire audience is on its feet and dancing in the aisles.
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.
If you missed this performance in the movie theatres, there may still be a chance to see the Broadway production, which translates very well. It has played to great applause in Germany, England, Canada and Australia, and as of this date is still playing in London. The touring production will be in Boston until March 15th, 2009. Go see it if you can, and if you can't, get the video. This wonderfully Dirty Dancing is too much fun to miss! - 16747
The secret seems to be a combination of qualities. Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey are a scintillating couple when they get going, and they certainly do! The scene is set in 1963, when the world (at least the United States) still held on to something like innocence. Jennifer Grey is well cast as Frances Houseman, a not-quite-typical Jewish Princess who is known as "Baby" and doesn't see a thing wrong with it. Patrick Swayze dazzles with his portrayal of the sexy but determinedly sullen 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.
Baby's naivet? is matched not only by her growing attraction to Johnny, but also by her desire to "change the world". When Penny has an illegal abortion, Baby gets her father to save the dancer's life. Dr. Houseman is horrified that his "Baby" is mixed up in this. To make it worse, he assumes that Johnny is responsible, and forbids her to have anything further to do with him.
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.
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".
Everybody grows up in this film, in one way or another. It's a triumph of love, with Johnny coming back to the resort for his traditional "last dance" of the season, even though he has been fired. When he pulls Baby out onto the stage - from her family's table, and in front of the whole Kellerman assembly, the "dirty dancing" they perform is truly a dazzling sight to behold, and indeed the entire audience is on its feet and dancing in the aisles.
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.
If you missed this performance in the movie theatres, there may still be a chance to see the Broadway production, which translates very well. It has played to great applause in Germany, England, Canada and Australia, and as of this date is still playing in London. The touring production will be in Boston until March 15th, 2009. Go see it if you can, and if you can't, get the video. This wonderfully Dirty Dancing is too much fun to miss! - 16747
About the Author:
By Matt Ryan, article sponsored by StubPass.com. StubPass sells Dirty Dancing Tickets, sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets, Musical Tickets and more to just about any event in your area.
