Strictly Ballroom

Rating:
Summary: Funny and romantic
Review: This is a lively romp that is sure to take your cares away. The "staged" flashback concerning Scott's father is hilarious and adds a new dimension to the term "flash-back". The music is top-rate, the editing is cutting, the dancing is flashy and the romance is sweet. Excellent over-the-top performances all round.

Rating:
Summary: A well rounded, amusing, involving and unmissable film.
Review: This film is absolutely the best film to watch whatever mood you're. It's uplifting and Paul mercurio is seriously addictive. It's amusing and lighthearted and guarunteed to put you in a good mood. Believe me, after watching this film you will suddenly desire to take up ballroom dancing lessons.

Rating:
Summary: Great for Ballroom fans
Review: I typically like "ugly duckling" movies, and as an amateur ballroom dancer, I really loved the movie's take on the competitive ballroom dance scene. This is one of my favorite dance films.

Rating:
Summary: Sexy and Sweet
Review: This has to be my all-time favorite movie! Paul Mercurio is really hot, in that Medeterranian sort of way, dark skin, dark hair, and those swiveling hips, yum. Well, the movie is so funny, and the way Fran, the ugly beginner, turns into be somewhat pretty is actually believable! I love it!

Rating:
Summary: Valuable lesson to be learned
Review: I loved this movie. Granted, the dancing makes for great eye candy, but the moral of the story can't be beat: "Dance to the beat of your own drum. Don't live your life in fear." The overly caricatured nature of the characters (Particularly Scott's mom) make the film seem cartoonish, and Scott's dad's dance sequence gives the film an added expressionist feel to it. It's hilarious and inspiring!!!

Rating:
Summary: A Scream!!
Review: I"m not trying to sound snobbish, but I think most folks who are content with the average Hollywood, multiplex baloney probably wouldn't like this one too much. It's delightfully eccentric, and extremely funny and romantic. A great escape from mundane reality for a couple of hours.

Rating:
Summary: "costume drama" and so much more
Review: As a theatreical costume designer, I found the whole movie fascinating, visually rich, fun. It pokes fun at design obsessions I also hold dear and takes them to an etreme levelin costumes, setting, characters. The sarcasm and wit of the story are charming, charming, charming. The characters of Scott and Fran are people we 'know' in our own lives. . .heck, maybe they are US. And who hasn't questioned their parents' wisdom at some time in their lives? Embarking on the 'road less travelled' is a good risk, this movie says. And, of course, " a life lived in fear is only half lived" encourages us all to take those good risks. Did you know that this movie's beginning were in a design class at the Royal Academy of the Arts in Austalia? Bravo to that risk-taking designer and to those who took that project to this extreme, lovely level, too. SEE THIS FILM, you will love it.

Rating:
Summary: Not Just a "Dame's Film"
Review: A friend recommended this, cautioning me that as a male, I might not get into this "dame's film." Dame's film or not, "Strictly Ballroom" is BOTH funny and romantic to the extreme! This has become one of my all-time favorites. The way in which the film parodies obsessive "stage mother" types is just drop-on-the-floor HILARIOUS. Has Luhrmann done anything else lately???

Rating:
Summary: Adorable, touching, and amazing
Review: Scott Hastings is one original dancer who determined to follow his heart and his own steps. Despite the angry threats from his surrounders, he teams up with Fran,an inexperienced dancer who may not be attractive at first but sees how he feels about dancing. Scott falls in love with her and they compete to win. Mercurio, who plays Scott is gorgoues and so is his dancing which is anything but boring. The movie really gets the message across about your freedom to choose whats right, and not to judge people by first appearence.

Rating:
Summary: What a Great, Fun Film
Review: This hopeless romantic LOVED this film. Charming, funny, heart-touching, and witty. I loved the flamenco parts, especially. What awsome dancing there! And the ending...very touching, and has you on the edge of your seat to see if all comes out well. Highly recommended!