From Deseret News archives:
Strictly Ballroom
Film review
An Australian surprise, "Strictly Ballroom" is sort of the "Rocky" of ballroom dancing, a rousing, toe-tapping and frequently very funny look at the passions of self-involved eccentric characters in a dance competition.
The story is hokey, predictable and full of movie cliches: A top-flight ballroom dancer (Paul Mercurio) gets creative and incorporates his own steps at a competition, which causes the stodgy folks in charge to go somewhat berserk. His dancing partner quits, his mother freaks out and his father sits quietly, hiding a long-silent secret about his own dancing past.
Soon, the frustrated Mercurio is approached by a beginner, a Plain Jane wallflower (Tara Morice) who has danced only with other girls up to this point. But she feels she can learn his maverick steps and that together they can surmount the controversy to win the upcoming national championships.
Mercurio is reluctant but soon they learn to work together and, of course, Morice gradually blossoms and becomes more attractive as the film progresses.
But there are obstacles along the way. So, they practice in secret to prevent his parents from discovering that he's still working on those forbidden dance steps. Then there's her father, who, at first, seems to be an abusive bully who won't let her out of the house.
The latter cliche, however, is turned on its ear as we learn that Morice's father has some dancing lessons of his own to teach (in a sequence that is one of the film's highlights).
Toward the end, however, the conniving president of the dance federation forces the couple to split up, until the expected rousing finale when they are reunited.
"Strictly Ballroom" is cartoony and slightly wacky, an odd amalgam of different movie styles, embracing as many cornball movie traditions as it lampoons. But there's no denying that it's also an all-around crowd-pleaser, offering as much excitement and emotion as any movie in recent months.
"Strictly Ballroom" is rated PG for comic violence, a few profanities and some mild vulgarity and sexuality.
Recent comments
Very sweet movie :)
Anonymous | April 7, 2009 at 3:56 p.m.
I LOVE this movie! The dance scene on the rooftop with the
Coca...
K.S. | Jan. 20, 2003 at 3:33 a.m.
This film is a low budget masterpiece, theres some nice
quiet...
Blackjack Davy | May 24, 2002 at 8:20 a.m.
Cast: Paul Mercurio, Tara Morice, Bill Hunter.
Find a Movie Theater
- Dixie campus briefs 1:10 a.m.
- Westminster campus briefs 1:09 a.m.
- UVU campus briefs 1:07 a.m.
- Utah Utes campus briefs 1:07 a.m.
- Visit to paradise nightmarish for Ags 12:32 a.m.
- Utes struggling to shake starts 12:31 a.m.
- Cougars' execution flawless 12:30 a.m.
- Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings 12:17 a.m.
- 3A football: Tigers pull away 12:12 a.m.
- Editorial: 'Immigrant' children needy 12:12 a.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
207 - Dirk does dirty work in Dallas
190 - Lobo suspended
171 - Speed has never been BYU's game
136 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
128 - House passes health care bill
111 - RSL rallies to advance
102 - Prep football: San Juan vs. S. Sevier
102 - Thousands protest health bill
100 - Provo company innovating engines
98
Nothing proposed would keep young adults from learning of the reality of sex,...
the only "decent" team we played we lost to? I guess that Air Force isn't a...
I am watching the game again, and it is awesome!!!
I can't help but laugh inside when I read comments from YBU/TCU fans who...
(from the independant) I like Dennis Miller.... and Bill Maher, although I...
As a BYU alumnus, I can't justify to myself ever donating another dollar to...
Not a chance. Don't get me wrong they are both studs, but if Asiata wasn't...
Titan Fan, sorry that some of your best players got hurt. I hope they...
So sad how fear based so many are.
Will the Jazz even make the playoffs this year. The way they are playing it...



