Strictly Ballroom (1993)

Fun Film, Meaningful Theme

Strictly Ballroom is a movie that you can watch again and again and its still entertaining each time. Many cliches are used to bring humor to this very funny film, however the movie has a slightly serious hidden theme: "A life lived in fear... is a life half lived."
I recommend this film for people who enjoy musicals or entertaining foreign films. A tidbit for those of you who are more concerned with pop culture, the star, Paul Mercurio, was a choreographer/movement consultant for the popular film iRobot. Mercurio again proves himself an expert in the field of movement. July 11, 2008

Strictly Funny . . . Strictly Campy . . . Strictly Romantic . . . Strictly Ballroom!!!

This gem from the nineties is an early - and great - achievement in Aussie director Baz Luhrmann's career.

In Australia (natch!) professional ballroom dancer Scott (Paul Mercurio - Yum with a capital "Y")and his partner Liz - with her typical female ballroomers' fake tan and fake blonde hair - are competing in a local Latin championship. But when another, previously winning couple - Ken Railings and Pam Short - start to deliberately cram their style by backing them into a corner and actually coming between them at one point, Scott decides to go off on his own, showing off some amazing moves that are definitely not part of his and his partner's planned choreography and CERTAINLY not sanctioned by the PTB's (Powers That Be) in organized Australian ballroom dancing. Poor, outraged, winning-is-everything Liz follows her guy as best she can, but nevertheless, Scott (at least to her way of thinking) costs them the championship. Having had enough of her rogue partner, Liz angrily declares, "I want Ken Railings to walk through that door and say, 'Pam Short's broken both her legs, and I want to dance with you'"!

Guess who is in a nasty car accident no sooner than Liz says this? And guess who Ken wants to be his new partner while poor Pam recovers?

Meanwhile, Scott has given into pressure to find a new partner himself despite his qualms about confining his artistry to the rules of ballroom dancing. But plain-Jane Fran (Tara Morice) is an amateur who has noticed Scott and wants to dance with him - his way. They secretly begin training sessions and a romance soon begins to bud.

There follows conflict between Scott and the aforementioned PTB's, heartbreak, reconciliation, and, of course, a happy ending complete with a sweet kiss between Fran and the guy she never would have believed she could dance with, much less get to fall in love with her.

SIGH!

This, my friends, is a CANNOT MISS. Love, music, dancing, comedy . . . the stuff that makes the world go 'round, as far as I'm concerned. All filtered through the brilliance of Baz Luhrmann.

Magic.

Cheers. June 4, 2008

Strictly Ballroom

Strictly Ballroom is a funny look at the world of ballroom dancing. The movie has some great dancing by Tara Morice and Paul Mercurio and a dramatic ending. May 28, 2008

Strictly Ballroom dvd review

I am unable to review this item because I still haven't received it. I only gave it the 'one star' I did because the website forces you to in order to proceed. January 30, 2008

Great Movie

I think it is very difficult to find someone that has seen this movie that has not enjoyed it immensely. I know when it came it out it was sort of a sleeper. Not too many people knew about it, but those that did knew it was a fine film. I really do recommend this to anyone that wants to have a fun time watching a movie. January 7, 2008

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