Aug 22, 2001 02:52 AM
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Dirty Dancing. What a film. This film was up there with the big boys when it was released back in 1987. I suppose you could call it the Billy Elliot of the late 80’s (though having not seen Billy Elliot, I can’t say I’m right on this one!) I know that I only got to watch it when I was about 11, so that would have been about 1990, and I also can’t remember much of the hype that may have surrounded it. I’m just going on what a few people have said to me about when the film was released over the years.
You may think that this film is full of sex thanks to the provocative title, but I’m going to have to say your wrong. Ok, it doe’s have a couple of very mild sexual type scenes in it, but not very much to worry about at all. Let’s put it this way, my dad wouldn’t have let me watch it at 11yr’s old if they were anything a bit risqué!
The film relies on you interacting with the characters and getting to know how they feel and what they want. Without this, the film would be nothing. What we have here is 2 main characters building up a love that’s frowned on by everyone else, but they stick to each other and make it good in the end. That’s the main storyline I think, and the dancing part of it is an excellent extra, but the main idea, in my mind is the love story.
Frances (Jennifer Grey) is going on holiday with her parents and her sister Lisa (Jane Brucker). Her sister has always had that edge on her. Always got the blokes, always done her parents proud and Frances seems to be the one who can’t do right, in her mind anyway.
At the holiday camp that they are staying at there are various activities that go on every night and a lot of staff who work in the park. Lisa seems to be instantly be recognized by a couple of the staff, but it’s not long until Frances lays her eyes on one of the staff and he takes her to the staff bash, which is basically where the dirty dancing part comes into it! At this staff get together we have Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze). Basically he is the good looking bloke that everyone seems to look up to. He is also the top dance teacher on the camp. Frances falls for him straight away. However, he already has a girl.
Fast forward a bit and Johnny’s now ex girlfriend want an abortion as she is pregnant. Trouble is, she needs some money, which neither Johnny or herself have. In steps Frances and offers to pay for the abortion (she has a rich Doctor Daddy!). Johnny takes offence to this and throws the money back in her face.
Things then go right for Frances. She is asked to step in as Johnny’s partner in a special dance (why she’s picked I can’t remember, I don’t even know if there was a valid reason for it!). Trouble is, Frances can’t dance all that well, let alone dance with Johnny for a huge dance that’s going to be taking place. Only one thing to do then, Johnny will have to teach Frances how to dance. As you can guess, this means a lot of time together and a lot of being close to each other. Needless to say, Johnny finally gives in and can’t resist Frances anymore. However, Frances now has to sneak out to do all this as her father is still totally against Johnny.
I won’t give any more of the storyline away as this is where it all starts to get rather good and I couldn’t do it justice anyway.
There are a lot of memorable scenes in this film. One in particular for me is one which we have probably all acted out on our girlfriends. The part where Johnny runs his fingers eight the way down France’s arm to her armpit and down her side. She basically has to be able to take the tickling feeling. This added a real sense of love to the film in my opinion. (well maybe now love, but something I can’t describe as I’m a bit dense when it comes to finding the right words for something). Sadly, my girlfriend can take this with ease, so she’s a bit boring, although I do keep trying it out on her.
The above scene is probably one which some people may not have found most memorable and probably found either the scene where they are testing out her balance on the log or the balance test in the water the most memorable. These are both excellent scenes and I don’t think any film has quite recreated the feeling the scenes gave the viewer, although I think many have tried.
So, lets move onto the soundtrack. And what a soundtrack this one is. If I said ‘I’ve had the time of my life’ you’d probably know the song. This was the best song in the film in my opinion but there were so many other good ones too. Coming from the 1980’s you don’t have any rock or pop, just great songs which fitted the film superbly. I should think we have all heard the soundtrack at some point in our lives, whether it’s just been playing in your local doctors or in the shopping centre. It’s loved by many, across different generations and you can still buy it easily now (14 years after the film was made, now that’s saying something!). I heard somewhere that they have made just as much money from the soundtrack as they have from the film itself, but I don’t personally believe that one and I’m not saying it’s true, just something I heard once.
I’m sure you’ve all heard of these, haven’t you!?
I’ve had the time of my life – Bill Medley
Hungry eyes – Eric Carmen
In the still of the night – Five Satins
She’s like the wind – Patrick Swayze
You can also get another soundtrack to the film aswell. Yes, that’s two CD’s you can buy, but I’ve heard the 2nd one and in my opinion it’s not half as good as the first.
So, we’ve got great scenes, we’ve got a great love story and we’ve got a great soundtrack. So, what more could we possibly want? Well…. A great ending of course and boy does this film give you that! To say that this is the best ending to a film I have ever seen wouldn’t be that far off the truth. If I had a top 10 film endings (and no, I don’t, honest!) then this one would definitely be in there and probably close to the number one position too. I’m not going to give the ending away (although most of you have probably seen it anyway) but this is an ending that will put a very warm, happy feeling in your stomach. It’s a perfect ending to the film.
I can’t witter on anymore (well I could, just don’t want to bore you). If you haven’t seen this film, then, quite simply, why not!? If you have, then you will know exactly what I have been rambling on about through this opinion.
Top film!
p.s. It just so happens that just after I posted this, a 'pop' version of 'hey baby, will you be my girl' is apparently number 1 all around europe. That's what the local radio station say's anyway. Why am I telling you this? It's a song from the Film silly! Don't like this version though!
