- Actors: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes, Jack Weston
- Director: Emile Ardolino
- Film Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
- Language: English
- Region: Region A/1
- Number of discs: 2
- Rated: PG-13
- Studio: Lionsgate
- Release Date: February 7, 2017
- Run Time: 101 minutes
At a certain point, with films as
successful as Dirty Dancing, cultural
impact becomes more significant than critical reactions. Dirty Dancing may be far from a masterpiece, but it has had lasting
popularity that can’t be ignored. Despite all of the cheesy lines and contrived
romantic melodrama, this is still a film that is easily quotable and difficult
to switch away from when stumbled across on television late at night. Sometimes
a guilty pleasure is the greatest pleasure of them all.
Following the
success of Flashdance in 1983 and Footloose in 1984, Dirty Dancing provided the same modern fascination with dancing
with a period film set in the 1960s. This allowed for modern sensibility to be
paired with the nostalgia of classic oldies music, in a love story about
star-crossed lovers. Frances “Baby” Houseman (Jennifer Grey) begrudgingly joins
her family on a summer vacation to a resort in upstate New York’s Catskill
Mountains. Despite her privileged upbringing and the expectations that come
with it, Baby finds herself falling for the working class dance instructor,
Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze).
On top of
tackling issues of class, Dirty Dancing
is famous for its discussion of sex, set during a time when it was not
discussed. While Footloose made the
argument that dancing did not have to be sexual, Dirty Dancing leaned right into the chemistry between dancers. Not
only is Baby’s decision to dance with Johnny somewhat of a sexual awakening for
her, the movie also includes a sub-plot involving a clandestine abortion (they
were still illegal in the United States during the period the film is set). But
beyond the underlying social and political messages of the film is simply a
love story, and that is what seems to keep this film a modern classic.
Despite a 25th
Anniversary edition having been released just five years ago, the 30th
Anniversary Blu-ray still manages to find new extras to pad the latest edition.
With over six hours of special features, this latest Blu-ray release is for
more than the casual viewer. Including many of those extras that were on the 25th
Edition release (as well as the numerous releases before that), this Blu-ray
also has new never-before-seen interviews with the late Patrick Swayze, as well
as a newly created fan tribute to the beloved classic. The previously released
features include two commentary tracks, numerous cast interviews, tons of
additional footage (in the form of deleted scenes, extended scenes, alternate
takes, and a blooper reel), music videos and more.
Entertainment Value:
8.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 7/10
Historical
Significance: 8.5/10
Special Features: 9/10
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