Strictly Ballroom
(1992)
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This wildly off-beat comedy is about a male dancer (Paul Mercurio) who refuses to follow the accepted rules of ballroom dancing and creates his own style of choreography, which infuriates the ballroom dancing establishment. Before he's scheduled to compete in the Pan-Pacific ballroom championships, he's forced to take up a new partner (Tara Morice), a beginner who initially seems without promise. With his help, she turns into an assured and wonderful dancer. Baz Luhrmann's visual style may be too bright, gaudy and exaggerated for some tastes, yet he treats his characters with compassion, which makes Strictly Ballroom such an engaging comedy.~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide |
Feel-good movies don't come any better than this Australian smash hit, which is an exuberant joy from sequined start to feathered finish. Come Dancing meets Footloose when rebel ballroom star Paul Mercurio hesitantly teams up with ugly duckling novice Tara Morice for an important contest. He wants to perform his own Latin routine, however, rather than the boring steps set by the conservative dancing federation. Will love be in the air? What do you think! As kitsch and as corny as anything, this hilariously heart-warming romantic comedy drama is the ideal pick-me-up. It's bright, breezy and strictly fabulous.
Halliwell's Film Guide
Exuberant, charming, witty romance acted and directed with style and verve.