FOOTLOOSE

US, 2011, 113 minutes. Colour.
Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid, Andie Mac Dowell, Ziah Colon, Ray Mc Kinnon, Miles Teller, Patrick John Flueger.
Directed by Craig Brewer.

Yes, we have been there before. Back in 1984, with a popular movie, its music, its story of teenage rebels and of authoritarian parents. But, as the Paramount publicist reminded me, the main cast of this version were not even born when the original film was released!

While Footloose 1984 was entertaining, it wasn’t the greatest. The usual reaction to remakes (and updates) is, first of all, why bother when you have an original and, second, ‘it’s not as good as the original’. This reviewer thought that this remake was better than the original (although not the greatest, either). The screenwriters have been able to look at the 1980s screenplay and provide some improvements and developments.

The opening crowd dance sequence gets us into the mood (raucous teenagers, dance, cars, drinking, sexual relationships) but with the sudden car accident, the mood instantly changes. It gives a more realistic context to the decision of the town council where the dead teenagers came from to impose curfews, forbid dancing and put a limit on loud music. In 1984, the main enforcer was the local minister, played with some fire and brimstone denunciations by John Lithgow. This time, Dennis Quaid, both a minister and a member of the council, is intense because of the death of his son and overprotective of his daughter who is certainly into rebellion. But Quaid plays much more quietly, using arguments and emotion rather than simple denunciation. Andie Mac Dowell plays his wife, very much in the background until she tells her husband that she has been a preacher’s wife and silent for decades but it is time for her to speak out. And she does.

In place of Kevin Bacon, at the beginning of a long and successful career, we have Kenny Wormald, a dancer who looks like a cross between Zac Efron and Tim Roth. This gives him more of a cutting edge than dreamboat rebel. His background is filled in more credibly as well. Julianne Hough is Ariel, the daughter, who has to move from couldn’t care less to being much more vulnerable.

One of the highlights of 1984 was Chris Penn as the awkward friend who has to learn how to dance. This time it is Miles Teller who tends to steal the scenes he is in. For fans, this version repeats the dance lessons and uses Let’s hear it for the boy, the memorable song from the old days. Of course, Footloose, with its corny lyrics, is there at beginning and end.

The film is set in Georgia and is a reminder that the religious right is still a strong influence in contemporary American beliefs and politics. Footloose is an appeal for the older generation to trust the younger, even make mistakes – before they become adults, parents and act like their parents do with them!

1. The value of a remake? Update? The same story? 21st century interpretation? The popularity of the original film?

2. The Georgia setting, the town, offices, homes, church? Car sales, the cotton gin? The Cowboys Arena for dancing?

3. The music, the songs, Let’s Hear It for the Boy, the Footloose theme? The use in this film – and memories of the original?

4. The opening credits, the verve, the teenagers, the dancing, drinking, the car? The suddenness of the accident? The sombre mood?

5. The effect of the deaths on the town, the high school kids? The memorials? The cabinet and photos in the school? Speeches about them? The church? The Reverend Moore and his memory of his son? The town council, the discussions about the legislation? The response of the townspeople?

6. The decision for prohibitions, the motivations, the effect, the need for repeal? The issue of trust? The older generation trusting the younger generation, even to make mistakes?

7. The Reverend Moore, his wife, Ariel? The home sequences? Reverend Moore and his concern about the church, preparation of his sermons? His grief for his son? Neglect of his daughter? Not aware of her behaviour? His wife, in the background, silent? Supportive of her daughter? Finally speaking out after decades of silence?

8. Ren Mc Cormack, his arrival in town, his background story, his gymnastic prowess, his going to Russia, not taking drugs? His life with his mother, her leukaemia? Her death? Her background in the town, leaving, bad reputation? Ren and his being met by Wes, Wes and his wife, the daughters? Settling in? getting the job at the cotton gin? The wreck of the car, his fixing it, driving it? The loud music, being held up by the police, going to the court, his being freed? Wes and his support?

9. Wes and his wife, the little girls, talking, helping, the signing of the petition, change of attitude? The little girls and their dancing with Willard and Let’s Hear It for the Boy?

10. Ariel, her way of life, the death of her brother, in high school? Her lying? Going out with her friend, going to the speed cars? Her relationship with Chuck? Permissive? Rebellious? The flag and driving the car, her friend being upset? Her relationships? The issue of trust?

11. The Reverend Moore, his ideas, his sermon, playing the issues low-key? The support of his wife? Of the congregation?

12. Ren, in the library, the drug dealer, his hands on the drug, being reported by the librarian? Reputation? His vindication? His study, his work?

13. Meeting Willard, Willard and his attitudes, jokey, friendship? Ren and his athletics, the relay? Willard and his girlfriend, gawkiness, not able to dance, the learning sequence, Let’s Hear It for the Boy? Ren and his instruction? Willard and the transformation – and the later dance scenes and his athletic expertise?

14. The speed racing? Chuck and his attitude? The bus, the tractor? The race? Ren and his winning, the crash and the fire? Ariel and Chuck, the break between them, Chuck’s anger, tough, his group, the young man and the drugs? Coming to the final dance, the fight, Chuck withdrawing?

15. The drive-in, the film, the dancing, Ariel, her father, his anger, the curfew?

16. The group going to Cowboys, the line-dancing, the fights?

17. Ren, his hard work, at school? The legislation? His wanting to change it, going to the library, looking up the information? Getting the petition, the meetings, people signing? Wes’s wife as typical of those who supported him? The council meeting, his speech, Ariel’s mother urging the group to listen to him? The vote? Reverend Moore and his speech? Maintaining the prohibitions?

18. Ren, his visit to the church, the Reverend Moore practising his sermon, the talk, apologies, the Reverend Moore and his change of attitude? His sermon, mentioning the dance? Ariel, her dress, the corsage?

19. The owner of the gin, the extensive preparations for the dance? And his stepping in when Chuck caused trouble?

20. The quiet beginning of the dance, old-fashioned, the fight? The change, the mood, singing and dancing to Footloose?