Strictly Ballroom (1992)

A maverick dancer risks his career by performing an unusual routine and sets out to succeed with a new partner.

Director:

Baz Luhrmann

Writers:

Baz Luhrmann (original idea), Baz Luhrmann (earlier screenplay)

Stars:

Paul Mercurio, Tara Morice, Bill Hunter

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 19 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Mercurio	...	Scott Hastings
Tara Morice	...	Fran
Bill Hunter	...	Barry Fife
Pat Thomson	...	Shirley Hastings
Gia Carides	...	Liz Holt
Peter Whitford	...	Les Kendall
Barry Otto	...	Doug Hastings
John Hannan	...	Ken Railings
Sonia Kruger	...	Tina Sparkle
Kris McQuade	...	Charm Leachman
Pip Mushin	...	Wayne Burns
Leonie Page	...	Vanessa Cronin
Antonio Vargas	...	Rico
Armonia Benedito	...	Ya Ya
Jack Webster	...	Terry

Storyline

Scott Hastings is a champion caliber ballroom dancer, but much to the chagrin of the Australian ballroom dance community, Scott believes in dancing "his own steps". Fran is a beginning dancer and a bit of an ugly duckly who has the audacity to ask to be Scott's partner after his unorthodox style causes his regular partner to dance out of his life. Together, these two misfits try to win the Australian Pan Pacific Championships and show the Ballroom Confederation that they are wrong when they say, "there are no new steps!"

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Plot Keywords:

dance | father son relationship | mother son relationship | cinderella story | ballroom dancing | 

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Taglines:

There's something in the air. It might be love -- but it isn't.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild language and sensuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Australia

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

12 February 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ballroom - Gara di ballo

Filming Locations:

Marrickville Road and Victoria Road, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD 3,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$11,738,022

Company Credits

Production Co:

M & A, Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC), Beyond Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John O'Connell: tryout Coach #3, Guest at the fiesta.

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Goofs

When Fran's Grandmother is beating the rhythm on Scott's chest, the neckline on his undershirt goes up and down between shots

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Quotes

[last lines]
Doug Hastings: Shall we dance?

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Crazy Credits

Preceding the end credits is the note: This film is dedicated to Ted Albert

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Connections

Referenced in Dancing with the Stars: Episode #8.7 (2008)

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Soundtracks

The Blue Danube Waltz
Composed by Johann Strauss
Performed by Wiener Philharmoniker as (Vienna Philharmonic)
Conducted by Zubin Mehta
(c) 1990 Sony Classical GmbH

User Reviews

An All-Time Favorite

This movie is one of those rare pieces of cinema where it all comes together.

The style is consistent - campy. The acting is wonderful. The editing and rhythm are superb. The music engaging.

It is about ballroom dancing. It is a love story. It is about the love and pathos of life.

If you've not seen this movie and are in need of a smile, see this one. It is about a dance studio whose main dancer, a male, is in need of a partner for regional championships. He and his former partner have split, leaving an opening that is a challenge to fill. The do fill it, but not until the last moment, and when it comes together, it creates a finale that is among the best ever shot.