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Amazon.co.uk Review
While the plot of this Australian film may seem a bit familiar (the Ugly Duckling meets Dirty Dancing), the humourous tone and superb dance sequences will make you forget the movie's predictability. Scott (Paul Mercurio) is a champion ballroom dancer who wants to dance "his own steps". Fran is the homely, beginning dancer who convinces Scott that he should dance his own steps...with her. Complicating matters are Scott's domineering mother (Pat Thompson), a former dancer herself, who wants her son to win the Australian Pan-Pacific Championship (the same contest she lost years ago), and a conniving dance committee that is determined that "there are no new steps!" The dancing is enjoyable, yet not overwhelming, and the movie strives hard not to take itself too seriously (the beginning of the film is even styled as a pseudo-documentary). Strictly Ballroom, while not so subtly imparting its moral ("A life lived in fear is a life half-lived"), is a funny romp that's sure to be a crowd pleaser. --Jenny Brown, Amazon.com
Special Features
16:9 Wide Screen
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Stereo English
Dolby Digital Stereo
Behind The Scenes Documentary
Original Movie Trailer
John Paul Young Love Is In The Air Music Video
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Stereo English
Dolby Digital Stereo
Behind The Scenes Documentary
Original Movie Trailer
John Paul Young Love Is In The Air Music Video
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This perceptive and well-executed film still after nearly 15 years since its release comes over as one of the most original films I've ever watched. The storyline is nothing more than a re-working of a classic fairy tale of handsome princes and ugly frogs (or dance partners) and yet the magical retelling make this film the success it is.
Scott Hastings is the ballroom dance prodigy who since being groomed to win the all important Pan-Pacific Grand Prix championship from the age of 6 looks like he could be throwing it all away by continuing to use un-registered and therefore illegal dance steps in his routine. His mother is shocked and dismayed that Scott could throw his chance of the title, his dance coach, Les Kendell is similarly gob smacked but most effected of all is Scott dance partner, who quits dancing with Scott and takes up with arch rival, the peroxide blonde Ken Railings.
Scott on the other hand is less concerned and seems more bothered with trying to dance true to the tune in his heart, a feeling that is shared by plain beginner dancer Fran. Scott and Fran begin to practice in secret, Scott deciding that his mother and Les wouldn't approve of such an unattractive and unorthodox partner and Fran deciding that her authoritarian and unforgiving Latino father would definitely not approve of her associating with such a boy. The backdrop the whole film is the outrageous and colourful world of Australian Ballroom Dance championships. There's more sequins and fake tan going on here than ever seen in one place before. Overseeing it all is chairman of the dance association, the toupeed and orange Barry Fife.
As I say, it doesn't take the brains of an Archbishop to work out what is going to happen here but the enthusiasm and energy that the pretty unknown cast bring to the film makes it almost compulsive viewing. Both Paul Mercurio (Scott) and Tara Morice (Fran) bring a charming innocence to their roles and it's really nice to see a proper ugly duckling to beautiful swan story. There's great support from the rest of the cast but both Pat Thomson and Bill Hunter deserve special mentions.
Scott Hastings is the ballroom dance prodigy who since being groomed to win the all important Pan-Pacific Grand Prix championship from the age of 6 looks like he could be throwing it all away by continuing to use un-registered and therefore illegal dance steps in his routine. His mother is shocked and dismayed that Scott could throw his chance of the title, his dance coach, Les Kendell is similarly gob smacked but most effected of all is Scott dance partner, who quits dancing with Scott and takes up with arch rival, the peroxide blonde Ken Railings.
Scott on the other hand is less concerned and seems more bothered with trying to dance true to the tune in his heart, a feeling that is shared by plain beginner dancer Fran. Scott and Fran begin to practice in secret, Scott deciding that his mother and Les wouldn't approve of such an unattractive and unorthodox partner and Fran deciding that her authoritarian and unforgiving Latino father would definitely not approve of her associating with such a boy. The backdrop the whole film is the outrageous and colourful world of Australian Ballroom Dance championships. There's more sequins and fake tan going on here than ever seen in one place before. Overseeing it all is chairman of the dance association, the toupeed and orange Barry Fife.
As I say, it doesn't take the brains of an Archbishop to work out what is going to happen here but the enthusiasm and energy that the pretty unknown cast bring to the film makes it almost compulsive viewing. Both Paul Mercurio (Scott) and Tara Morice (Fran) bring a charming innocence to their roles and it's really nice to see a proper ugly duckling to beautiful swan story. There's great support from the rest of the cast but both Pat Thomson and Bill Hunter deserve special mentions.
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It's not that Baz Luhrman's success has gone to his head, far from it....it's just that his other two movies to date...Romeo and Juliet, Moulin Rouge...are not a patch on Strictly Ballroom. This film reeks of warm sentimentality that crawls onto you and sinks into your every pore. It's full to the brim with quirky comedy moments that flood effortlessly from the entire cast, who are all Australian...not a Leonardo or Nicole amongst them. The fact that no heavy weight star is present only serves to enforce the feeling of empathy that you build for the main protagonists. Scott Mercurio is fantastic as the tortured classical dancer who strives to break free from the established laws of Ballroom and redefine it's expression. Tara Morice is equally as impressive in the role of Fran, who's only a trainee dancer but shares Scott's passion for flare and free movement. Of course the love plot bubbles quietly beneath them as they try to take the dance world by storm. All in all it's a wonderfully balanced film of heart, wit, great dancing and outstanding performances. You can see that Luhrman has an undoubted ability to dazzle with dance, music and comedy it's therefore such a shame that Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge lean heavily into a more serious genre. It's not that they're bad movies but personally I'd like to suspend my disbelief with the help of laughter and not suspense. Especially where dance is concerned. Strictly Ballroom is NOT TO BE MISSED!
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I'm not usually one for girlie type dance films, but this one surprised me after my wife rented it. Most blokes wouldn't publically admit to liking a film like this - nobody gets shot, maimed, raped or blown up - theres lots of twirlly dancing instead of car chases/kung-foo/gun battles and some soppy romance in place of raunchy sex scenes and absolutely no naked babes. So what makes a load of lads choose this film more times than any other after the pub & match of the day on a Saturday night. After all 'soppy' dancing is the only action in this film. Well this probably has something to do with the way its shot/edited that makes makes blokes forget their not watching a car chase. Theres also plenty of humour supplied by some great veteran character actors (the use of the word 'actors' in this article applies to both actors & actresses). Paul Mercurio & Tara Morice might be relative unknowns but their performances and strong support cast - with some great comic cameo roles - make this a gem of a film. Great fun. You'll love it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
I Don't DO Ballroom....
With the recent upsurge in popularity in and broadcasting of all things Ballroom and dancing and stuff, it seems I'm the only one I know that can resist it - and quite easily, at... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tim Kidner
so bad its good
i love this film because its really not that good, but you cant help but watch it again and again
Published 11 months ago by Natalie Townshend
So what?
I read Sir Alec Guinness' autobiography recently and he said he had liked this movie. Guinness being one of my all time favourite actors I decided to buy this movie - and was... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Movie Fan from Portugal
A Kitsch Classic
First off, let me get something off my chest. There is a difference between a product being poor and a film being poor. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mr. C. Moore
Did not read info clearly
I am happy with this film. it is a good film and the dvd is in perfect condition as listed. it is new as listed and i have no problem with it. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mr. Toby Stromberg
5 star
The first movie from acclaimed Australian director Baz Luhrmann it as the same sort of feel as Moulin Rouge had to it and is brilliant fun. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Rebecca
Strictly funny.
If you like Muriel's Wedding you will love this film. I first saw this film sixteen years ago and have watched it countless times. Read more
Published on 3 Oct 2009 by Mr. Steven R. Turner
terrible plot, lovely dancing
Four stars just for Paul Mercurio - awful plot, not spectacular acting, but what a dancer!
Published on 16 Mar 2009 by rita wing
strictly ballroom
I first saw this film in the 90s and thoroughly enjoyed it, I've also watched anytime its been on TV. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2009 by Souxchef
Everybody deserves to see this
I saw this film at a young age. I'm 18 now and it really had a lasing effect on me. Baz Luhrman tells the story of scot hastings, a ballroom champion who is sick of dancing the... Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2008 by Jennifer
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