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Strictly Ballroom [DVD] [1992] starring: Paul Mercurio, Tara Morice, Bill Hunter, Pat Thomson, Gia Carides

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Rating: - Strictly brilliant

Packed full of Australian humor, and not taking its self seriously, this film will leave you side ache long after it has finished. Scott Hastings, (played by profesional dancer Pual Mercurio) wants to dance his own steps, after his partner walks out on him he enlists the help of beginer dancer Fran to help him realise his dream. Scott knows he must follow his dreams, but others are determind to see him fail, such as his rival dancer and compertision overser, Barry Fife. A great feel good movie, well worth watching.

Rating: - Classic transformation movie with laughs

Strictly Ballroom is brilliant feel-good film with loads of laughs. It's a story of a gauche Spanish girl living in Australia, who during the course of the film transforms into a babe and a brilliant dancer after accosting the gorgeous local king of dance one night after he loses his partner, and by spouting a load of Spanish at him in a frustrated moment secures him for secret personal development sessions at the dance school.

It's high on quote potential, from "Barry Fife"!", "Tina Spaarkl'!", "Bogo Pogo", "Scott Hastings 'nd paaatner" in broad Aussie, to "Paso Doble?" in thick Spanish. It is very moving, satisfying and suitably triumphant at the end.

Rating: - The Definitive Rom Com?

I believe that the storyline has its origins in work done by some Australian theatre students and some beautiful theatrical set pieces (think Moulin Rouge, on a smaller budget) suggest that this may well be the case. Add to the mix some stunning performances by complete unknowns (where are they now?); brilliant film editing; unabashed adherence to the romantic comedy book of rules; and a great sound track (worth buying for itself). This is one of the best feel good movies you'll ever see and all without the over the top saccharine sweetness that so often ruins less acomplished Hollywood romcoms.

Rating: - Strictly Ballroom

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.

Rating: - Brilliantly quirky, fast-paced film with romance and humour

A smash hit at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival, this hugely enjoyable film launched director Baz Luhrmann's career, created a renaissance of popular interest in latin and ballroom dance - and named a host of television talent shows! I love Strictly Ballroom. I've seen it about six times since it was released in 1992, each time with mixed amusement and exhilaration. Paul Mercurio is superb in the lead role as Scott Hastings, a sizzling dance talent torn between his - and his mother's - lifelong ambition to win the prestigious Pan-Pacific Dance Championship, and the subversive urge to dance his own original steps. Tara Morice plays his 'ugly duckling' dance partner Fran to perfection, his whimsical father is endearingly eccentric, and the entire cast of engaging characters never misses a beat. This brilliantly quirky, fast-paced film manages to combine spectacular dancing, tongue-in-cheek visual humour and John Waters-style camp kitschness with a gentle romantic subplot. Not to mention some striking cinematic moments - for example the camera movement as Scott and Fran dance together for the first time, while above them, Scott's father prances gleefully around the washing line alone on a moonlit rooftop. Even by the generally high standards of the Australian film industry, Strictly Ballroom shines. If you haven't yet seen it, you've a real treat in store!

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