Strictly Ballroom (1992)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Baz Luhrmann

Writers:

Baz Luhrmann (original idea)
Baz Luhrmann (earlier screenplay) ...

Release Date:

12 February 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

There's something in the air. It might be love -- but it isn't.

Plot:

Brave new steps put Scott's career in jeopardy. With a new partner and determination, can he still succeed?

Plot Keywords:

Dance | Mock Documentary | Australia | Ballroom Dancing | Spoof

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 17 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Paul Mercurio	...	Scott Hastings
Tara Morice	...	Fran
Bill Hunter	...	Barry Fife
Pat Thomson	...	Shirley Hastings
Gia Carides	...	Liz Holt
Peter Whitford	...	Les Kendall
Barry Otto	...	Doug Hastings
John Hannan	...	Ken Railings
Sonia Kruger	...	Tina Sparkle
Kris McQuade	...	Charm Leachman
Pip Mushin	...	Wayne Burns
Leonie Page	...	Vanessa Cronin
Antonio Vargas	...	Rico
Armonia Benedito	...	Ya Ya
Jack Webster	...	Terry

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild language and sensuality.

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | South Africa:PG | USA:TV-PG (cable rating) | New Zealand:PG | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Germany:o.Al. | Netherlands:AL | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Marrickville, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

M & A

Trivia:

Tara Morice was almost never cast as Fran, even though she played the character in the stage version, because the financial backers were reluctant to cast a non-dancer in the role.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Fran's Grandmother is beating the rhythm on Scott's chest, the neckline on his undershirt goes up and down between shots

Quotes:

Fran: What happened to a life lived in fear and all that stuff?
Scott: Fran...
Fran: You really are a gutless wonder!
Scott: There's a reason for this.
Fran: I don't want to hear!
Scott: Listen to me!
Fran: No!
Scott: It's hard for me too, Fran.
Fran: *Hard*? Hard? How hard do you think it's been for *me*? To get you to dance with me in the first place? Frangipannidellasqueegymop. Wash the coffee cups, Fran, how's your skin, Fran? Hard?
Scott: You don't understand.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Dancing with the Stars: Round Two (#9.4)" (2009/I)

Soundtrack:

Standing In The Rain

A fun movie with a great message

This is a very stylized film, a lot of fun, a lot of great dancing. Some of the costumes and performances, within the scope of the plot, are almost painful, yet appropriate. And the upshot of the whole thing is a message we wish we could all live by, every day. I relate to the ugly duckling storyline, and also enjoy the attractive male star! There are characters you love to hate and those who step up when you didn't think they would. The flashbacks are very quirky/funny. I'm sure in Australia this ballroom dancing stuff is taken deadly seriously, so Luhrman probably took a hit for lampooning it the way he does. But the whole thing is a good time that ends up having unexpectedly warm, deep meaning, and not many movies these days can say that.