Kick (1999)

A champion high school rugby player has a secret desire to be a ballet dancer, having spent 11 years in ballet school. Seizing an opportunity to audition for a local company's presentation ... See full summary »

Director:

Lynda Heys

Writer:

Stuart Beattie (screenplay)

Stars:

Russell Page, Rebecca Yates, Martin Henderson

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Russell Page	...	Matt Grant
Rebecca Yates	...	Claire Andrews
Martin Henderson	...	Tom Bradshaw
Radha Mitchell	...	Tamara Spencer
Paul Mercurio	...	David Knight
George Spartels	...	Jack Grant
Philip Holder	...	Mr. Power
Peter Gwynne	...	Dr. Derrick
Zoe Bertram	...	Sonia Quaid
Laurence Breuls	...	Steve
Rainey Mayo	...	Danika
Jason Clarke	...	Nicholas Ratcliff
Kip Gamblin	...	Roland
Walter Grkovic	...	Duncan
Jack Mayers	...	Coach Carruthers

Storyline

A champion high school rugby player has a secret desire to be a ballet dancer, having spent 11 years in ballet school. Seizing an opportunity to audition for a local company's presentation of "Romeo and Juliet", he nonetheless fears what will happen to his reputation if the other kids in his school find out. Adding the practices to his already burgeoning schedule quickly starts to create problems with his friends, his teachers, his coach, his play director, and his ballet partner. Of course, it all comes together on the stage of the Sydney Opera House.

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Plot Keywords:

ballet | rugby | friendship | boarding school | prejudice | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes you have to risk everything to follow your heart

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 December 1999 (Iceland)

Also Known As:

James

Filming Locations:

Luna Park, Milsons Point, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC), Carmelina Pictures, Premium Movie Partnership

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The motto 'Virile Agitur' of the fictitious North Shore Sydney school attended by the film's characters, is the actual motto of Knox Grammar School, also located on Sydney's North Shore. Former students of Knox Grammar include actors Adam Garcia, Hugh Jackman, Andrew Johnston, Reg Livermore, Hugo Weaving, writer Stuart Beattie and radio host 'John Laws'.

User Reviews

Fetching ballet!

Okay - the story isn't SO exceeding, one could think that it's inspired by "Billy Elliot" and "American Pie"; but this film was realized in 1998 and tells it's story in a fresh, diverting way.

There are very beautiful composed pictures (views?) in it and most of the soundtrack is nice; and the score is really gorgeous (for my ears ...): plain, pure + emotional.

And there is that stunning dancing in it! Rebecca Yates, the female dancer, was (maybe: still is?) principal in (at?) Australian Ballet, with the appearance and grace of an elfin and a great talent for acting (but this is the only film she made). Russell Page, her partner, was member of Bangarra Dance Theater, the famous Aborigine's ballet- company; his moves were so powerful and sensuous! And he was a good actor, too. It's so sad that he had to die.

It's a great pleasure to see them dance: solo as well as one with the other.

The choreography is from Paul Mercurio: "Scott" in "Strictly Ballroom", Sidney Dance Company - dancer/choreograph in real life. It's powerful and graceful, as pure and plain as the score (and the costumes and the stage design for performance) - and that all together: choreography, costumes, stage design, music and stunning dancers is so entrancing that i would give more than 10 (also for Russell's solo); so all in all (can i say that?) it balances the not- so- very- interesting story and some not- so good- acting (especially some over-doings by Radha Mitchell and one by Russell Page).

If you like "Strictly Ballroom": watch this! "Strictly B." has more charme, "Kick" has much more virtuosity -- and both are able to make one addict to it! (and Paul Mercurio is acting in both: very different figures)