DIRTY DANCING
US, 1987, 100 minutes, Colour.
Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes, Jack Weston.
Directed by Emile Ardolino.
Dirty Dancing was an extraordinary popular success of 1987-88, not only the film, but also the musical score and a craze of imitation dancing and concerts throughout the world. The film was directed by Emile Ardolino (Chances Are) and featured Patrick Swayze and gave him star status. Jennifer Grey is effective as Frances and the excellent dancer Cynthia Rhodes is good in support. There is solid support in the cast from veterans like Jerry Orbach and Jack Weston.
The film is set in the early summer of 1963, just prior to the death of President Kennedy. The film makes a lot of the end of an era and the beginning of the 1960s. The film has the atmosphere of the holiday resort, the Jewish families, family pressures - and the beginnings of people breaking out and the blend of idealism and self-centredness. The dancing is -idiosyncratic, choreographed by Kenny Ortega (Salsa). There is a range of songs used, many from the period (and the Academy Award-winning 'I've Had the Time of My Life').
The film also serves as a fable about personal integrity, relationships.
The sequel, Dirty Dancing 2, Havana Nights was released in 2004 with Patrick Swayze reprising his role.
1. The popularity of the film, its appeal to young audiences? Music and dance? Characters and interaction?
2. The title and the dance style, of the 1960s and the perspective of the '80s? Sensual and sexual, the roles of men and women? the dance craze?
3. The 1963 setting, the holiday resort, the details of holidays, work? Idealism of the period: Kennedy, Baby going into the Peace Corps? The rich and poor?
4. The importance of dance: routines and skills, the dirty dancing, the rehearsals, the collage of Baby training with Johnny and its effect, the teaching the steps, the routines, performance? Styles and rhythms? The grand finale?
5. Baby and the voiceover, 1963 style, the use of the name 'Baby'? Treatment by her parents, her curiosity, the games at the resort; her being a stooge and getting a prize? The meals? Seeing Johnny, watching him, discovering the dirty dancing, friendship with Billy? Meeting Penny, discovering her pregnancy, her trying to get the money, the request from her father and lying? Taking Penny's place, the hard work of the rehearsals, by herself, with Johnny? The growing friendship with him, getting to know him? The successful performance but without the jump? Penny's plight and her getting her father? Talking with Johnny, scared? The sexual relationship, the dancing? The tension, hiding from her father? Telling the truth to Max about being in Johnny's room, the courage to tell the truth? Her attack on her father about his expectations? Johnny's leaving, Lisa doing her hair, ready for leaving, Johnny's return and her entering into the dance? Success? A future?
6. Johnny as tough, not going to college, spurning of the college boys, Max treating him badly, dancing with Penny and having to dance with the guests? The dirty dancing in the workers' quarters? His hard attitudes towards Baby, the question of the money for the abortion? His change of heart, rehearsing with her, being tough, the gradual change in his attitude, telling her the story of his life, the performance, his taking the responsibility for Penny, the growing sincerity with Baby, tension, sexual relationship, explaining his gigolo role? The confession, fighting Robbie? Giving the money back? The insult from Baby’s father, his being sacked because of the alleged robbery? His appreciation of Baby's standing up for him, the decision to leave, to return, the grand finale dance, the apology from Baby's father, calling Baby 'Frances'?
7. Penny and her skill at dancing, pregnancy, thinking that Robbie thought her something special, the money, teaching Baby, the abortion and its failure, the doctor helping her, her friendship with Baby?
8. Robbie as the college boy, the cad, refusing to pay for the abortion, dating Lisa, fighting Johnny, Lisa finding him in bed, seeing the reality? The clash with Baby's father, the cheque?
9. Billy and his help, friendship with Baby? Neil and his helping his grandfather, organising things, down on Johnny, MC at the concert?
10. Lisa and her place in the family, jealousy of Baby, attracted towards Robbie, performing in the concert, talking to Baby, discovering Robbie in bed, her change of heart?
11. The parents and their work, treatment of their daughter, money, helping Penny with the abortion, the father disappointed in his daughter, the clash with Baby, his harshness on Johnny; his compliments to Robbie and discovering the truth? His having to change his mind? His sitting and reflecting on what was happening with his daughters?
12. Max and the resort, memories of the '30s and '40s and '50s? Tough on his workers, with his clientele? His comments on the end of an era? The guests at the resort, the middle-aged wives and their absent husbands, the dancers? The episode with the robbery?
13. The youth of the '60s, the '50s and their influence, a changing period, relationships?
14. The question of abortion, Penny's situation, her career, the decision to have the abortion, getting the money, the abortion butcher, the doctor having to intervene? Moral issues? Responsibilities?
15. An entertaining and pop fable?
