Dirty Dancing is Fun and Contagious

 
Dirty Dancing is a really enjoyable movie that stars Jennifer Grey, when she was still cute and recognizable, and Patrick Swayze, back when he was in his prime. Even though the film was made in 1987, the story is a timeless one. A good girl falls for the mysterious, handsome bad boy who turns out to actually be a pretty good guy.

The movie takes place in the summer of 1963. Grey stars as Frances 'Baby' Houseman, the younger of the Houseman daughters. She's the intellectual, well behaved one who wants to join the peace corp and is daddy's girl. Her older sister, Lisa, played by Jane Brucker, is only focus on her looks and chasing after men. Baby's parents are played by the ever famous Jerry Orbach, as Dr. Jake Houseman, and Kelly Bishop, as Marjorie Houseman. The whole family gets invited to a fancy resort in the Catskills due to the father's connections. It is here that Baby meets Johnny Castle, Swayze, the good looking, resident bad boy who is a dance instructor at the resort. His partner is the beautiful Penny, played by Cynthia Rhodes, someone who Baby envies for her looks, talent, and relationship with Johnny. When Penny gets knocked up by Neil, a busboy with aspirations of being a doctor, Baby gives her the money for an illegal abortion. The abortion conflicts with a dance performance, leaving Baby to step in and be Johnny's partner. After long hours of rehearsal, Baby and Johnny fall for each other but must keep it a secret from her strict and wholesome parents. When wallets are stolen from guests, Johnny is immediately the prime suspect as he can't reveal his true alibi, being with Baby. Will Baby step up and reveal their relationship and disappoint her parents, who believe Johnny to be responsible for getting Penny pregnant, or will Johnny be fired and out of Baby's life forever?

I first saw this movie at a very young age and immediately loved it. Its a movie I can watch over and over again and never tire of it. Despite their public bickering on set, Grey and Swayze have amazing chemistry in this film and make their characters believable. Even though this is a classic and often repetitive story, Dirty Dancing really revamps it and makes it entertaining and sweet while also being filled with sexual passion and hope. I say hope because it offers viewers' hope that people from two different backgrounds can fall in love and make it work.

The dance performances are wonderful to watch and as a kid, I memorized and performed the dances myself. The most memorable scenes are of course the finale dance to the famous tune, “I've Had the Time of My Life” as well as the rehearsal montages set to “Hungry Eyes” and “Wipe Out.” The music is fantastic in this film as well, making the soundtrack a must have just like the film. Swayze even lends his voice to the film through the song, “She's Like the Wind."

The movie's primary audience is undoubtedly women as isn't it every girl's dream to have a passionate and adventurous fling with a bad boy that sweeps them off their feet? Baby has the kind of romance that most women wish they could experience. Viewers can put themselves in Baby's shoes, which is perhaps what makes this movie so special and a favorite of many. Of course, men can find some enjoyment in the film as well, most notably in the form of Grey and Cynthia Rhodes dancing in tight, revealing clothes.

The dvd has some great special features, mainly a full length commentary that gives great behind the scenes info into the making of the film.

The film's length is a little over an hour and a half but it goes by fast. This movie is not a serious or intellectual film that attempts to make some profound point. Its just a fun, entertaining film that is enjoyable to watch on its first or twentieth viewing.