Amazing character development. The film keeps you rooting for "ugly duckling" Morice. I know nothing about competitive ballroom dancing, but the costuming & colors were captivating & appropriate throughout. You'd never believe it was Luhrmann's first film. BRILLIANT!
If you like "Dancing With the Stars" or "So You Think You Can Dance" on TV you'll really like this movie. It's an Australian indie flick. It's such a feel good movie.
Baz Luhrman's finest film to date. Nowhere near as fussy as his subsequent outings yet still packed with style and originality. Not only does this work as a grotesque satire of all those Boy meets Girl dance movies where the ugly duckling (and boy is she ugly) suddenly finds her white plumage but it also works as one of those movies in it's own right. Under most circumstances this would jar horribly. But what we have here is perfect symbiosis. A feast for the senses!
Australian ballroom dancer, Scott Hastings (Paul Mercurio) omes from a family with a history of ballroom dancing & has been training since childhood. His dancing partner Liz leaves him & finds a new dancing partner, & love, with the plain & ordinary dancing student Fran (Tara Morice). Scott & Fran dance the Paso Doble & they learned from Fran's Father and Grandmother.
I re-watched it again, and I still love this movie. Baz Luhrmann is such a talented director. Everything he does visually I love. The story is not entirely original, but in his hands is a different story. A must watch for any Luhrmann fans.
This was very good. Fantastic and Luhrmann realky shows his promising way of making stories come to life on the big screen with his very cinematic, out of this world burst of colour and feelings in this movie. This one made before he made Moulin Rouge ;)
Strictly Ballroom is a gem of a import. This film from Australia has a great cast and soundtrack. I went to see this at the theatres when it was released in the states and loved it. Tara Morica and Paul Mercurio shine in this film that has a strong ensemble.
This film takes place in a dance school where a dance champion is left without a dancer due to his unconvential style...can he find the right partner with the demure friend...you will have to watch to find out.
Paul Mircurio and Tara Morice - I really enjoyed - all of their own scenes, plus those dance scenes with her character's family were enjoyable. As for the rest of this film? Ehh - not so much. I liked Baz's Moulin Rouge much better, though he directed this one quite a few years before.
Going into this with no expectations proved helpful, as this is not the kind of film I generally go for. That being said, I felt there were some strong scenes, as well as some weak ones, and despite the fact the whole thing is a string of cliches and charicatures, it still had its charm. I wont be sitting down to watch it again any time soon, but not too bad overall.
This is a great little film to kick-start Baz Luhrmann's red curtain trilogy (which also includes William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge, two more outstanding movies).
This film is a visual triumph, particularly in the makeup and costume department, and turns the usual, predictable and pedestrian "Rocky-plot" into a truly engrossing, magical and inspiring film. Great characterization and strong acting, but nothing really shines too brightly: every aspect of the film is done fairly well, making you suspend your disbelief in the way only Luhrmann can make you do so. A beautiful little movie that really should be seen - and it should be noted that I HATE movies about dancing... if you only watch one ever, this classic makes it clear that it had better not be Step Up...
I'm a big fan of both dance movies and Baz Lurhmann - so this has always been one of my favourite films. The choreography is amazing and the film perfectly captures the bitchiness and ambition that goes on behind the scenes of any dance competition. In addition to this, there are not many sights in this world sexier than Paul Mercurio dancing the Paso Doble!
Luhrmann's first film is also his weakest... having said that - its the weakest of 3 INCREDIBLE films. While it takes a while to get interesting by the big finale you will be cheering. You can really see Luhrmann honing in on his style which he would perfect for R+J and Moulin Rouge. Definitely worth seeing if just to say you've seen the full trilogy.
I really enjoyed this movie. Though not as good as Baz's later 2 movies, it was still wonderful and quirky as usual. Trivia: If you pay attention, you'll notice that much of the set was later used in Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.
I loved this movie not only because of the story line but also the dancing since I am a hip hop dancer...and also a competition dancer as well....but overall movie was great!
MCT:September 6, 2008
MCT:July 12, 2008
MCT:July 6, 2008
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MCT:February 26, 2008
