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Film Review

07 January 2009 13:19 BST

Dirty Dancing

Directed by Emile Ardolino, out (remastered) February 9th at selected cinemas, starring Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey and Cynthia Rhodes, running time 96 minutes.

In a nutshell…

Romantic, cheesy, ultimate chick flick

What's it all about?

The popular girly favourite has been digitally remastered 20 years after it was first released at the cinema and re-released at a handful of cinemas just in time for Valentine's Day. Most females and die-hard fans will know the story inside out and each line word-for-word, but for those less experienced viewers the story goes as follows…

Baby, a young, wealthy girl who is more interested in her Daddy and joining the Peace Corps visits a holiday camp with her family and ends up falling in love with one of the hotel's poor, 'bad-boy' dance teachers.

A hit soundtrack then takes the audience on a tale of romance, dancing, abortion, a clash of family values, heartache and growing up.

Characters include the ditzy and bitchy Lisa - Baby’s sister, Neil Kellerman - the cheesy manager's son whose behaviour just makes you cringe, sleazebag waiter Robbie and of course the object of Baby's affections, hunky Johnny Castle - played by Swayze.

Who's in it?

Patrick Swayze – who has starred in other films such as Ghost, Point Break and Donnie Darko – does well at playing a super cool, good-looking ladies man, although watching the film in 2007 does make you laugh at his exaggerated hip grinding, more than swoon over him.

Jeniffer Grey makes you laugh at her naive ways and early dance attempts, but then at the same time pulls on your heartstrings when she falls out with her father and knows she has truly let him down - in the lake scene where they both end up in tears.

The acting is not fantastic, but then the film is meant to be fun and enjoyed for its cliches, cheesy lines and nostalgic feel.

As an example…

Baby approaching the holidaycamp: "That was the summer of 1963 when everyone called me Baby and it didn't occur to me to mind."

Baby’s embarrassment at her reason why she was at the dancers’ quarters "I carried a watermelon?!"

Swayze, when he saves his girl: "Nobody puts Baby in a corner."

Baby: "But most of all I'm scared of walking out of here and never feeling for the rest of my life the way I feel when I'm with you!"


Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars

The film won a host of awards back in the 80s when it was first released and if one recent preview screening was anything to go by is set to be a big hit again – with seats sold out well in advance.

What the others say

"Chick flicks have hardly been bettered." - Rachel Simpson, bbc.co.uk Film Reviews.

"The film’s easy charm, infectious soundtrack and tidy choreography should still win over new fans as well as old.” - Anna Smith, Time Out London

So is it any good?

A complete Dirty Dancing fan, this review probably seems a little biased. However, this movie holds appeal for young and old. Older audiences want to see the hit again on the big screen and younger generations, having heard their big sisters/mothers rave about the film want to see what all the fuss is about.

After viewing the film for the first time on the big screen this month it was hard not to be impressed – the digital remastering adds something to the film and gives countless Dirty Dancing fans too young to see the film the first time around the opportunity they probably crave.

Although the film couldn’t be any cheesier and the once ‘sexy’ dance moves, dated clothing and once-thought-of controversial storylines are more likely to make you laugh nowadays, the film still has charm. The well-known lines from the film still have the desired affect and Swayze still has the capacity to make your heart skip a beat.

9/10

Melanie Shaw

"Dirty Dancing is my favorite film and even though I am 13, I really think that Patrick Swayze is really fit (gorgeous). No other Dirty Dancing film will ever be the same. This is the best - always has been, always will be.Thank you!" - Samantha Edwards

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