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 | 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

Though Paul Mercurio was a dancer he was a ballerina, not a ballroom dancer. After landing the role of Scott Hastings he had to attend a six week intensive boot camp to learn the choreography.

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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

Doug Hastings: We had the chance but we were scared. We walked away. WE LIVED OUR LIVES IN FEAR!

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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 Getaway: Episode #16.31 (2007)

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Soundtracks

Happy Feet
Vocal by Jack Hylton
Written by Jack Yellen (as Yellen) and Milton Ager (as Ager)
(c) Advanced Music Corporation
by Courtesy of Decca Record Company Ltd

User Reviews

Best Dance movie ever, Greatest choreography and costumes; also a good Romance with its moments

Waltz, Rumba, Samba, Tango, Cha Cha, Step Salsa... Never seen a movie with that much rich choreography before. That's Baz Luhrmann, who is an expert at swinging a visual feast; and Strictly Ballroom is his red curtain trio opening(together with Romeo+Juliet and Moulin Rouge!).

With his own style of cinematography and overdrive speed of camera work, it's impossible to watch a 94 minutes film in exact 94 minutes. Otherwise you'd be falling into anxiety saying to yourself: "Ooops! Did i just miss a scene?" I still rewind on many scenes each time I watch Strictly Ballroom and Moulin Rouge!

Here are some unforgettable and timelessly cult scenes and moments I most like:

1- Scott&Francesca dancing in front of the Coca Cola broad sheet at the roof 2- Scott&Francesca dancing with Doris Day's "Perhaps,Perhaps, Perhaps(1954 version)" behind the red curtain 3- Francesca and Scott's meeting scene and the way she introducing herself to Scott 4- Scott practicing his style of dance and watching himself by the mirror 5- Scott's father starting clapping in unison when Scott&Francesca turned back to the stage where they are banned 6- Francesca persuading Scott upon the choices they look forward to make beside the wire fences they walk through in the night

Strictly Ballroom is one of the best choices to watch and enjoy it with your beloved. It will keep you locked in a close embrace. It is also the best choice to start learning couples' dancing.

But, if you're looking for some silver screen accomplishment, which I mostly do for every movie I watched, there is only the noteworthy achievement of costume design. Directing-editing-screenplay are collaboratively proper since it is Baz Luhrmann's own project. I only disliked the sound editing.