Review of Dirty Dancing (1987) by Joan V — 20 Mar 2014

Dirty Dancing really is one of less likely films I would ever find myself seeing, but considering that I'd miss nothing starring Patrick Swayze and that Dirty Dancing was one of his most successful films, it was a film I certainly needed to see.

Like I predicted, the plot in Dirty Dancing is very cheesy and oriented for the teenage female audiences as it has a romantic story between a teenage girl and a dance instructor which of course is a forbidden romance and it pretty much predictable from start to finish, lacking much intelligent originality or any surprising story elements. So in that sense part of me was dissatisfied with a distinct lack of substance in the film that exceeded the quality of a mere failed attempt.

Also, the story all feels way too rushed and stays pretty straight on its generic territory for the full __ minutes which feels rather short. All in all, Dirty Dancing is as formulaic and predictable as one may expect and is suited most appropriately to the teenage female crowd looking back at the 1980's. People on the lookout for intelligent cinema have other places to go and other romantic films to see, ones with more depth and originality to the story.

But I found that I still ended up enjoying it simply because I relaxed my standards and managed to enjoy Dirty Dancing for being one of the better examples of cheesy 80's love story.

The one thing to separate it from many of the similar generic films of its genre is the fact that there is genuine passion in the film. It is clear that director Emile Ardolino has a true passion for the protect because as well as being a talented choreographer, he proves himself a good film director. He's good because he can take such thin and basic material and turn it into an entire feature with decent characters and a lot of passion in it.

Granted the writing in Dirty Dancing isn't original and it's attempts to add depth and subplots to dramatic aspects of the story outside of the romantic and dance related drama isn't that effective or necessary to the story, but it doesn't deviate too far away from the key importance in the story.

The meaning in Dirty Dancing all rests on its themes of both love and dance which it integrates together into a well choreographed dance film and decent romantic drama. I mean, it's cheesy and not my usual kind of film, but you can tell that the filmmakers really pulled out everything they had to salvage the material and make a good film and it's clear that they did a good job. Like I said, the material isn't the best, but what Emile Ardolino gives to it is some really beneficial direction.

And it's all shot very nicely with fine cinematography and timely editing against the backdrop of some fine scenery.

And the soundtrack is just terrific. There is a lot of vibrant energy to he felt in the atmosphere of Dirty Dancing, and a lot of that comes from the memorable 1980's soundtrack which includes the famous Academy Award winning song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" as it's iconic tune. The music in Dirty Dancing is easily memorable, and it blends into the well choreographed dance sequences really well and gives the film an amiable charm and energy which matches the spirit of love that the film follows.

Honestly, Dirty Dancing is a film not so much about love as it is about passion, and thanks to the dedicated cast with the leads in particular being the talented two actors.

Patrick Swayze is at some of his most romantically vibrant in Dirty Dancing, because while he embodies the image of a charming and handsome prettyboy and tough guy, he also has a character with true heart to him. The passion for it is all there like Kevin Bacon in Footloose, except that the story is a romantic one and therefore requires a lot more passion to it. Without missing a beat, Patrick Swayze delivers that kind of passion head on and reminds us why so much of America fell in love with him in the late 80's and early 90's. It's great to look back at him in Dirty Dancing to see how far he had came since then before his untimely death, and it's still one of his best performances. Patrick Swayze is a very charming lead in Dirty Dancing and he brings the majority of the passion to the story without having trouble.

Jennifer Grey also gives the greatest performance of her career in Dirty Dancing. While her career sunk after the film due to a rhinoplasty operation, in Dirty Dancing we are treated to endeavour all of her charms as an actress. Her youthful spirit and emotional line delivery is all powerfully dedicated, and she really captures the flare of a young smitten innocent girl without going into an unrealistic frenzy of giddiness. Her performance is a restrained yet strongly emotional one which benefits from her natural charm and youthful charisma which she doesn't leave out of the role. She has a spirited energy and sex appeal in Dirty Dancing which she never flaunts around to hide her acting talent, because her physical and emotional performance elements are both massively successful.

The chemistry these two actors share is truly rich with the flare of love that the film boasts to its audiences, and so it succeeds as a compelling and realistic romantic drama, even with such a ridiculous plot.

The supporting performance of Jerry Orbach is also a frantically effective one.

So aside from the thin plot and the surplus of cheesiness, Dirty Dancing is a passionate 80's love story with some entertaining dance sequences and talented lead actors.