... Strictly Ballroom or DIY? No contest, the dancing won.
I have seen Strictly Ballroom before, but this is the kind of film that once loved is never forgotten.
‘Ballroom dancing?!!! Call that interesting’. If this thought (or similar) has crossed your mind it is understandable but ... Read review
From the director of Moulin Rouge and Romeo & Juliet, Baz Luhrmann, comes this ... more
wonderful kitsch and amusing tale of repression and dreams, all set in the super-tanned and garish world of Australian ballroom dancing. Scott hastings (Paul Mercurio) is a talented ballroom dancing champion who longs to dance his own steps. This results in being dumped by his partner and chastened by all those around him, except two people. One is Fran, the ugly duckling of the school who persuades him to let her dance with him and eventually steals his heart. The other is his father, a quiet man dominated by his bejewelled wife. Scott knows in his heart he must follow his dreams, but some are determined to see him fail. The film climaxes at the Australian Championship in a superbly choreographed and heart-warming finale.
Tracklisting:01. Pienso En Ti (Mambo)02. Dancing In The Dark (Foxtrot)03. Casate Y Veras ... more
(Cha Cha)04. El Choclo (Tango)05. In The Mood (Swing)06. 1001 Nights (Waltz)07. Espana Cani (Paso Doble)08. Somos Novios (Bolero)09. The Cat (Foxtrot)10. Zoot Suit Riot (Jive)11. Jealousy (Tango)12. Frensi (Cha Cha)13. Solomenta Una Vez (Rumba)14. Sing, Sing, Sing (Quickstep)15. Tenderly (Waltz)16. Mais Que Nada (Samba)17. La Ultima Noche (Rumba)18. Jump, Jive And Wail (Swing).
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
...located the TV guide. Strictly Ballroom or DIY? No contest, the dancing won.
I have seen Strictly Ballroom before, but this is the kind of film that once loved is never forgotten.
‘Ballroom dancing?!!! Call that interesting’. If this thought (or similar) has crossed your mind it is understandable but misplaced.
Strictly Ball room is about embracing change, living your dream and not giving into your fears. ... ...vague similarities in style. Strictly Ballroom (1992) was his first film and there are scenes that have wonderful originality – a trademark of Luhrmann’s films. It has a familiar ugly duckling type plot but this shouldn’t put you off – it is a thoroughly enjoyable feel good film.
The performances of all actors are good. Paul Mercurio’s acting was the weakest (not weak), but as a professional dancer this is perhaps understandable, ... more
It was a recent Sunday afternoon. The weather was your standard English, or in my case Welsh, rain. So no going outside, though I had DIY that needed finishing so plenty to keep me busy. Before I was even aware of it my hand had located the TV guide. Strictly Ballroom or DIY? No contest, the dancing won.
I have seen Strictly Ballroom before, but this is the kind of film that once loved is never forgotten.
‘Ballroom dancing?!!! Call that interesting’. If this thought (or similar) has crossed your mind it is understandable but misplaced.
Strictly Ball room is about embracing change, living your dream and not giving into your fears. Oh, and should I forget, dancing and love.
The film opens with Scott Hastings (Paul Mercurio), a hugely talented dancer, and his partner Liz Holt (Gia Carides) taking part in the local Waratah Championships. With couples competing for space they get boxed into a corner. To escape Scott introduces some fancy footwork, steps of his own that have no place in the Australian Dancing Federation’s (ADF) rule book. Scott and Liz do not win and as expected winners it was a clear rap on the knuckles from the ADF. First place is awarded to Ken Railings (John Hannan) and Pam Short (Kerry Shrimpton), and Liz leaves in tears.
The message given by the ADF, and its president, Barry Fife (Bill Hunter) was clear. Tradition is sacred - and who exactly did Scott think he was!
A few days later at a dance studio owned by Les Kendall (Peter Whitford), Scott loses Liz to Ken when it turns out Pam has broken her legs in an accident – as you do. So Scott has no partner – and (from the view point of his parents and their old friends Les and Barry) – a serious attitude problem. Certainly not something his mother, Shirley (Pat Thompson) can contemplate. Shirley is a classic domineering mother, who desperately wants Scott to win the Pan Pacific championships. His father Doug (Barry Otto) is completely overshadowed, bullied even, by his wife, and Barry - Barry is obsessed with his position of power within the ballroom dancing world. Together they agree that getting Scott back into the fold is of paramount importance.
The race is on to find a suitable quality partner for Scott and a variety of girls try but fail to make the grade. In part this is because Scott has been dancing secretly with novice Fran (Tara Morice) who, though supposedly plain and careless, quickly shows immense promise. She is possessed with heaps of self-belief and while watching Scott dancing alone seized her chance and persuaded him to give her a go for an hour. This of course, turned into more.
Scott benefits from the partnership by meeting Fran’s family. Her father Rico (Antonio Vargas) and grandmother teach him how to dance with feeling and passion, for the sake of enjoyment. For Scott, whose parents were more concerned with winning, the experience is liberating.
To find out whether it is all love and plain sailing or a partnership destined to fail you will have to watch the film. Go on – you won’t regret it.
It is not a film that takes itself too seriously and if you have seen Romeo and Juliet or Moulin Rouge, both directed by Baz Luhrmann, you will notice vague similarities in style. Strictly Ballroom (1992) was his first film and there are scenes that have wonderful originality – a trademark of Luhrmann’s films. It has a familiar ugly duckling type plot but this shouldn’t put you off – it is a thoroughly enjoyable feel good film.
The performances of all actors are good. Paul Mercurio’s acting was the weakest (not weak), but as a professional dancer this is perhaps understandable, and his high quality dancing more than makes up for any shortcoming. The performances by Tara Morice, Bill Hunter, Pat Thomson, Gia Carides, Peter Whitford and Barry Otto were, for me, excellent - they played their parts perfectly. For anyone familiar with Australian films and TV shows, a few faces will be familiar.
The dancing is the linchpin of the film and I thought (me – a non-dancer!) was of exceptional quality, and hugely enjoyable within the framework of the film. You do not need to ‘get’ ballroom dancing to enjoy this film. You are left in no doubt, that when it comes to the dancing Paul Mercurio is a star. You can find out more about what he has achieved since and is doing now at www.paulmercurio.net.
Finally, but not least – the soundtrack. Composed by David Hirschfleder, it worked very well and I’ll wager it will make your foot tap – at the least. There are also some classic tracks that ‘Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps’ you may recognise.
I watched this on a satellite TV channel, but you can buy the film in video or DVD format (currently £9.89 and £6.99 from Amazon).
Trivia: Strictly Ballroom was originally performed as a play in Australia, and Baz Luhrmann had participated in ballroom dancing competitions as a child.
Thanks for reading my first film review. Hopefully I have done it justice.
Advantages: old story given a special something, interesting characters Disadvantages: Soundtrack could be a bit better
The plot for Strictly Ballroom sounds simple, dull, uninspired… but the end result is anything but. Baz Luhrman may be most famous now for his films Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge, but to me he will always be an icon for producing this little gem.
-- The Plot --
Scott Hastings is a champion ballroom dancer. It’s what he’s been doing since he was little and is the only life he knows. He and his partner Liz are headed for the Pan Pacific championships ... ...sets his films apart. Strictly Ballroom may not be as fantastical as Moulin Rouge, but some of the same elements do creep in every now and then. There is a particular scene where Barry Otto’s character is reminiscing about when Scott’s parents were younger and the scene that shows this is made to look like an old fashioned, silent movie but in colour. The result sets the scene apart and shows the innovative thinking that the director puts behind ...
emmaclaire 04.09.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Strictly Ballroom (DVD)
Advantages: The musical is alive and well Disadvantages: A little 'rough' occasionally
...given that he also made Strictly Ballroom, Mrs TheNeil figured that it was worth a look. History repeating itself? Very much so. My good woman had dragged us to see Moulin Rouge, I'd been initially unimpressed, but by the end adored it. The same is very much the same here...which kind of ruins my objectivity (but i'll try none the less).
Be honest, the story premise is not good: Ballroom dancer bucks convention and falls in love with an ugly duckling. ... ...totally clinical point of view, Strictly Ballroom has nothing to make it appeal to anyone but those of a romantic disposition. It's slushy, it's girlie, it's...unimaginative. Or rather it's unimaginative on paper. Just as in Moulin Rouge, Baz Luhrmann takes a supposedly mundane and dull story and turns it into something magical. It may not be as polished as it's big brother (or sister in this case) but it can be viewed as Moulin Rouge in embryo form. ...
TheNeil 07.05.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Strictly Ballroom (DVD)
Advantages: Colourful, passionate, great music Disadvantages: None
...I quite enjoyed some of Strictly Come Dancing. When this film first came out, I wasn't really interested in it, but was forced to go and see it by a friend. Sometimes I think the best films are those that you aren't really expecting much of; certainly, I really enjoyed this film and have seen it time and time again. The director
Baz Lurhmann, the director, grew up in rural Australia, and at one point worked at a petrol station. He later used examples ... ...His most famous film to date is Moulin Rouge. The plot
Scott is a ballroom dancer with a difference: he doesn't want to conform to the set steps, but wants to make up his own steps. As a result, his dance partner walks out on him and his mother and trainer are horrified. The Australian Dance Federation Championships are coming up and everyone tries to find him a new partner in time. But Scott again has his own ideas; he has met the plain, spotty ...
sunmeilan 24.01.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Strictly Ballroom (DVD)
Advantages: Soundtrack, Feelgood, Paul Mercurio Disadvantages: If you have sequin phobia - stay away!
...time favourite films is surely Strictly Ballroom, the 1992 Australian comedy classic and I use the word classic with much thought. Yesterday I wrote an opinion on Muriel's Wedding, another famed Australian comedy that came out of the same era as Strictly Ballroom. Both films highlighted the distinctive and unique brand of Australian comedy of that time that set it apart from the American mainstream. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, this was his first feature ... ...but co-writer with Craig Pearce, Strictly Ballroom is going to be nothing if not individualistic.
OVERVIEW
Once again I try not to give away to much of the film's plot as I describe the film which has one of the most novel films to hit the screens. Luhrmann cleverly uses a documentary style opening and interludes which pull you into the film and make you quickly form bonds with the loveable characters on the way. The storyline follows Scott Hastings ...
BizzyBek 04.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Strictly Ballroom (DVD)
Advantages: Great choreography, very well acted, good music Disadvantages: Um...none, really!
I love this film! I went through a phase of watching it when I was about 8, then I forgot about it for six years. But the other day I was ill, and decided there was no better way to pass the time than to sit back, watch a film and think "All my friends are in Maths! Mwah ha ha!" And I'm so glad I did! I'd totally forgotten what a good movie it is! And now I'm hooked again.
The story is about two ballroom dancers. The first is Scott Hastings (Paul ... ...a champion, just like his mum Shirley and his coach Les were. Everyone thinks that it's going to be his year - everyone expects him and his partner Liz to win the Pan Pacific Grand Prix.
The other is Fran (Tara Morice). She's pretty clumsy and gawky, and you wouldn't expect her to be the dancy type, really. She's only been dancing for two years, and so she's just a beginner.
They only have one thing in common - they both prefer to make up their ...
sophie5914 10.10.2001 (16.10.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Strictly Ballroom (DVD)
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Advantages: bonus features with commentary by crew and galleries, subtitles Disadvantages: available in only English talking language
"StrictlyBallroom" is brought to us by Baz> Luhrman, he one and only who brought to us the unforgettable "Moulin Rouge". It was actually amongst his earlies fim.
Romance and dance are something I love.. And in strictlyballroom, I got served, this film is filled with the best ballroom dances; salsa, chacha, rumba and waltz but moreover it adds exoticism with latin dances like the Paso Doble. It gives anyone who has a musical ear and who love to move, the ability to experience simple steps
In all "StrictlyBallroom" is the story of a young dancer who wants to do what he loves, that is dancing, but not be restricted by rules and decorum. In fact, he wants his passion to touch others, on his way to finding himself and what he truly wants, he finds love and support in someone he did not expect.
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Advantages: Quirkiness, music, fabulous dancing Disadvantages: Perhaps you may find that the price of the Collector's Edition is not worth what you get.
"StrictlyBallroom" is an off-the-wall Australian comedy. Sometimes you find yourself wondering what was going through the director's mind, but nonetheless it's all in good fun.
We start off with this bizarre set of interviews introducing you to the main characters. Scott Hastings (Paul Mercurio) is a competition dancer. He has been dancing all his life and is currently partnered with Liz Holt (Gia Carides - Cousin Nikki in "My Big Fat Wedding")) a spoilt prima donna. During the competition, they got boxed in so Scott decides to do something different and daring. Liz is forced very grudgingly to go along with it, but she ends up throwing a tantrum. The crowd loved it, but certain very important people disapprove of his new dancing steps. Particularly Barry Fife (Bill Hunter - Bill Heslop in "Muriel's Wedding") who is head ...
Advantages: Fast paced dancing movie - camp and marvellous! Disadvantages: Maybe too camp for some
Another Smash at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival - Written and directed by Baz Luhrmann, StrictlyBallroom is the movie before Strictly come dancing, Dancing on Ice and our new love affair with Dirty Dancing at the West End.
This movie is moving, shaking story of the ugly duckling, 'making it'. This brilliant 1992 movie (with some fashion and make up from the 1980's) with fantastic Australian humour, the brilliant dancing, and that wig, will make you forget how predictable the plot is (and how many others came after it). Scott who is played by the gorgeous Paul Mercurio is a champion ballroom dancer and now wants to dance his own steps - which would not typically be at home on the ballroom floor.
Fran is the 'ugly duckling' - for now anyway. She is a beginner who convinces Scott he should dance his own steps - with her. Scott ...
A top ballroom dancer pairs with a plain, left-footed local girl when his maverick style earns him the disdain of his more conventionally-minded colleagues. Together, the team gives it their all and makes dreams of the National Championship title come true. Directed in a delicious high-key style by director Luhrmann (WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S ROMEO + JULIET) in his madcap debut.
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