DANCIN' THRU THE DARK

UK, 1990, 95 minutes, Colour.
Con O' Neill, Claire Hackett, Conrad Nelson.
Directed by Mike Okrent.


A touch of Liverpool. a touch of class barriers. Homeboy singer makes good and returns for a gig on the night his former girlfriend is having her hens’ night on the groom is out with the boys for his stag night. The boys are resentful of success, the girls over-protective.

Will she leave Liverpool? A touch of the fairytale in the drabness of Liverpool. Reminiscent of The Commitments with its local lingo, music, arguing and fighting, it is an interesting portrait of human nature.

The screenplay and the songs, the sharp and humorous dialogue, written by playwright, Willy Russell, author of Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine.

1. A piece of drama, with comic touches, from Liverpool?

2. The local impact, language, music, customs, familiarity? More universal appeal? Human nature?

3. Willy Russell, his plays, his songs and screenplay for this film? Sharp observation and dialogue?

4. The city of Liverpool, views, ordinary people, homes, clubs, factories, restaurants?

5. The songs, the performance, the score?

6. The situation, ordinary life in the factory, work? The dream wedding with the touch of the fairytale? Linda, her decision to marry, hopes for a change of life, Peter as her ex-boyfriend? Dave, her being engaged, loving him or not? Her girlfriends and their protectiveness?

7. Peter, going away, his success, return, performance, the relationship with Linda?

8. Dave, slow, going out with his mates, in the Indian restaurant, the warning about mixing the drinks, going to the club, his being sick in the toilet, his behaviour, his resentments?

9. Linda, growing up in Liverpool, dreams beyond Liverpool, marriage, the hens night, her friends, seeing Peter again, the comparison with Dave? Issues of commitment?

10. Eddie, with Dave, unstable, the reaction to Peter?

11. The drama, the conflict, the resolution – and what future beyond?