Strictly Ballroom (1992)

Director:

Baz Luhrmann

Writers:

Baz Luhrmann (from an original idea by)
Baz Luhrmann (from a screenplay by) ...

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:

Cinderella Story | Sydney Australia | Dance | Spoof | Breakthrough

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 16 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

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English | Spanish

Colour:

Colour (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Germany:o.Al. | Netherlands:AL | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

M & A

Trivia:

There are only a few professional dancers among the principal cast, including Paul Mercurio, Antonio Vargas, Sonia Kruger, and Leonie Page.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Doug leads Shirley onto the dance floor he asks, "Shall we dance", but his lips don't move at all.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Doug Hastings: Shall we dance?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "HBO First Look: The Night Club of Your Dreams: The Making of 'Moulin Rouge!' (#8.4)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Love Is In The Air

Terrific provided one doesn't look too closely

Part realistic, part fairy tale, this is spirited satirical romp through the world of Australian competitive Ballroom Dancing. The performances are uniformly winning, especially Paul Mercurio (a natural in his first starring role), Bill Hunter (the King of Australian comedy films), and Pat Thomson (as a hysterical bulldozer of a stage mother). Close scrutiny reveals two major flaws, however. The character of Fran (Tara Morice) is much too "ugly duckling" at the beginning of the film; no one as intelligent and self-aware as she is could remain so clumsy and plain into adulthood. I can buy the blossoming of self-esteem through love, but there's only so much love can do. The other problem is larger: the "revolutionary" dancing Scott and Fran are doing is virtually indistinguishable from the staid, boring styles they are supposedly rebelling against. It looks better because of how the director and editor presented it, but there is little if any qualitative difference. That said, the film is well worth a look, with guaranteed laughs, excitement, and an interesting soundtrack.