Strictly Ballroom [PG]

Scott Hastings has been working towards winning the Pan Pacifics Grand Prix since he was six years old. A very talented dancer, Scott is becoming bored with Federation standard steps and turning to improvisation and pleasing the crowd. But when his non-Federation steps lose him his partner, Scott’s chances to win at the Pan Pacifics get slimmer and slimmer. There is hope though, when Scott teams up with dancing beginner, Fran, and through her and her family, Scott learns to stand up and not live in fear. 

Before writer/director Baz Luhrmann wowed modern audiences with the enchanting spectacle that was Moulin Rouge!, he made us all laugh, cry, and fall in love with a devastatingly sexy Paul Mercurio and a darling Tara Morice in Strictly Ballroom. 

Scott Hastings has been working towards winning the Pan Pacifics Gran Prix since he was six years old. A very talented dancer, Scott has recently become bored with the Federation steps and turned towards improvisation and pleasing the crowd. But when his flashy new steps lose him his partner, his chances at winning at the Pan Pacifics get slimmer and slimmer. While his determined and competitive show mother uses all manner of tricks to get Scott’s career on the right track, Scott begins secretly dancing with Fran, a beginner dancer who has a bit of a crush on him. Through Fran and her family, Scott learns to stand up to adversity and to live without fear. This film is the perfect romantic comedy. 

What I particularly love about it is that it’s a sort of web of stories that are all woven together to make something visually stunning. There is the romance story between the two leads: two very unlikely partners who are more alike than they, and everyone else, realise. Then there is the story of Scott being rebellious and overcoming adversity. There is also the story of the ugly duckling, as Fran begins the film as a mousy and blemished dear, but then slowly transforms into a beautiful and vibrant woman. And underneath all the uplifting and happy stories is the story of dark ambition and conspiracy; how the Dance Federation is determined to keep dance the way it is and quash any rebellious behaviour. 

With these stories as the film’s skeleton, a great soundtrack, stunning and vibrant costumes, brief interviews with the characters, and mesmerising lighting and slow-motion camera work forming its skin, Strictly Ballroom is thing of beauty and inspires all manner of emotions in its audience from anger to passion to joy. IT’S A FANTASTIC, FANTASTIC FILM! 

With wonderful performances from Paul Mercurio (he was so sexy and I believe this was his first film), Tara Morice, Pat Thomson, Bill Hunter, Gia Carides, Peter Whitford, Barry Otto, Pip Mushin, Sonia Kruger, and Todd McKenney, Strictly Ballroom is a wonderful film filled with drama, romance, passion, dazzling costumes, and comedy. It’s an absolute gem!!!