Ballroom - Gara Di Ballo

Hot on the heels of Dirty Dancing comes another fun filled dance movie! Scott Hastings (Mercurio), is an amateur competitive ballroom dancer, longing to break free from tradition, and take things up to the next level by transcending dance federation tradition, and reinterpreting the genre, and his unique approach costs him his dance partner, Liz, when he loses a competition on account of answering to the dictates of his soul. So Liz ends up pairing off with the darling of the Dance federation (And a sleazy booze hound to boot!), Ken Rawlings, so, the search is on to find Scott a new partner for the next competition. Meanwhile, a beginner, Fran, having covertly watched him let off a little creative steam in the dance studio his mother runs, after everyone has left for the evening, asks him to teach her how to dance 'his' way. So they train up in secret. But, amid a series of misunderstandings, things don't go according to plan, thanks to the interference of his friends and family. But, through a chance meeting with Fran's father, Scott gets to truly connect with the type of dancing he was born to do. I won't spoil the rest of the film in case you haven't seen it, but, the end dance sequence is wonderful, and it's got a great soundtrack too. It's spellbinding, and the dancing is a wonder to behold.

Another movie we've watched recently as part of our lockdown exploration of classic movies with our kids.Having been blown away when I first watched this in the early 90s, I wasn't sure how this one was going to have aged, but happily I enjoyed it every bit as much second time around - perhaps more so, as there was the delicious anticipation of reliving my favourite scenes.It's inevitable that Strictly Ballroom gets compared to Dirty Dancing, and the comparison is fair enough, as there are consistent themes. But that doesn't mean that both can't be great.Strictly Ballroom is blessed with a fabulous cast, including the iconic Bill Hunter, who seems to have been in every Aussie movie of the era. His bombastic depiction of permatanned, toupeed ballroom boss Barry Fife is a comedic tour de force, and slightly uncomfortable in its similarity to a certain contemporary US president.The leading actors are magnificent, both in their acting and their dancing. Paul Mercurio's Scott treads a finely balanced line between masculine and macho, and Tara Morice is luminous as the classic wallflower who has a chance to bloom.And oh, that final scene! Has there every been sexier choreography in a modern dance movie? Well, if there has been, then I'd love to see it. Well worth naming a dance show after!

This is a review of the excellent 2011 Region B2 Blu-ray from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.‘Strictly Ballroom’ is, without doubt, one of the best-known and most referenced of all Australian films. It began life as a well-received and critically acclaimed short stage production from 1984. A group of students studying at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney wrote and staged it; one of those centrally involved was Baz Luhrmann, whose mother taught ballroom dancing, the central theme of the plot. Luhrmann subsequently developed the play for use elsewhere. This led to an offer from the owner and MD of a successful Australian music publishing company to develop the play into a film.When Luhrmann directed this film in 1992, it was his debut as a film director. Many of those who starred were also unknown, or unknowns in the cinema. Luhrmann’s leading man was Paul Mercurio, playing the role of Scott Hastings, the free-thinking and talented ballroom dancer who takes on the Australian ballroom dancing establishment. Mercurio had been Principal Dancer with the Sydney Dance Company for a decade, leaving in 1992 to found his own dance company. He had no film experience. But his electric performance as Scott was lauded, and he has since worked in other film and TV roles, as well as being a judge for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ in both Australia and New Zealand.Hobart-born Tara Morice had played ugly duckling Fran on the stage, as far back as 1988. In addition, she had worked with Luhrmann, but was also new to film. Again, it doesn’t matter a jot, as she is wonderful in the role ~ warm, talented, vulnerable but also tough and resilient ~ a real heroine.The script is rich with affectionate, knowing, wit, and the story is full of wonderful characters. There are brilliant, funny performances from the ensemble cast. Australian character actor Barry Otto (father of the equally famous Miranda of ‘Lord of the Rings’ fame) is a particular stand-out as Scott’s long-suffering father, Doug.The ballroom dancing is just gorgeous. The emphasis is on very exciting and spectacular Latin American dances, and Mercurio and Morice do the dances proud, performing with unconcealed passion. If you ever watch ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ with enthusiasm, you will really LOVE this film. It is one of the most joyful, heartfelt, warm and enjoyable films we have seen in a long time, a real ‘feel-good’ film, that will make you feel a whole lot better in this difficult time.I occasionally identify films which are so good that they defy the 1 to 5 Star rating system. This is one such film: I would give it 6 Stars, if I could!

I have loved this move since I first saw it. The story is about a young man who is following the family tradition of ballroom dancing. The problem is he likes to do you own steps that are not sanctioned. His partner quits and he is convinced to by a still learner at the studio he practices, to team up with her and do his own steps. It is a feel good movie that has some very funny characters in it. When I am down I watch this to lift my spirits and listens to good music.

I have loved this move since I first saw it. The story is about a young man who is following the family tradition of ballroom dancing. The problem is he likes to do you own steps that are not sanctioned. His partner quits and he is convinced to by a still learner at the studio he practices, to team up with her and do his own steps. It is a feel good movie that has some very funny characters in it. When I am down I watch this to lift my spirits and listens to good music.