Rating: 
Summary: A fabulous film
Review: I have seen this film four times and each viewing has been as enjoyable as the first. It is a story that can delight and entertain even those who do not find ballroom dancing appealing. Each character is well acted and developed. It is a pity that Baz Luhrmann could not continue to tell such wonderful stories. His Moulin Rouge is an eye and ear sore in comparison to this gem.
Rating:
Summary: Glorious
Review: A fantastic, excellent short film (about 90 minutes). The costumes are outrageous and sexy, and of course, lots of fine dancing and showmanship. The story is a hilarious amalgamation of fairy-tale motifs, delivered in a gleefully irreverent Aussie style. My favorite film of all time. The DVD version has an excellent short documentary on Australian ballroom dancers in the 80's, and there are other interesting tidbits.
Rating:
Summary: A great romance
Review: Do you like dancing? Do you like laughing? Do you like romance? *Strictly Ballroom* is a classic oddball romantic comedy, inspired by the true world of strict regulations in ballroom dancing. A young man must choose between doing steps that are "strictly ballroom" or dancing his own steps...with a girl he will come to love. The dance scenes and the love story between Scott and Fran are great. Watch Scott's dad--he has a few surprises up his sleeve. A++ movie. The extra short documentary on ballroom dancing on the DVD is worth a watch, too.
Rating:
Summary: A life lived in fear is a life half lived (Spanish Proverb)
Review: In all the dance movies that I have seen this is part of the best that I have rated. It's merits lie in the teaching, the dance's, the finale's, and love. I have to say that it is one that grabs your attention if only the movie had ben out now it would have made points for all the 'ugly duckling' turned into a beauty, the lowly teacher turned into a prince, and the story teller. The All you had to do is look through the comedy and it would have ben better.
Rating:
Summary: A One-Of-A-Kind Film
Review: I was surprised that the editorial reviews of this film treat it like just another film, which it most definitely IS NOT. I would describe it in various ways: as the film John Waters would give his left HAND to make; as a terrific NEAR-sendup of intense, tear-drenched dramatic dance films like Red Shoes, that doffs its hat to the concept of "camp" without throwing the whole experience away just to stay consistent with the attitude; as a comedy that, if you get the joke, will knock you silly with laughter at times. There are moments when I wasn't sure which film I was in, as the plot listed toward Flashdance and then Cinderella. But this is the kind of film it is; it embraces operatic emotion and high melodrama, and while it acknowledges the ordinary, it never becomes so. And it communicates beautifully the essential wackiness of all in-bred, inclusive subcultures. (The old guard's constant exhortations to the hero not to give himself over to "crowd-pleasing moves" is hilariously absurd, and at the same time wholly typical of such subcultures, where the most sensible question is always "Who on earth made these up these rules?!") It is an odd and intense film, one that contantly keeps you off balance, and asking yourself whether to take it seriously or as an elaborate sort of filmed comedy dream (think of Rocky Horror Picture Show). The cool thing is, you never have to decide; you can enjoy new aspects of it on multiple viewings. See it.
Rating: 
Summary: Dancin' in the Aisles!
Review: With the success of MOULIN ROUGE, earlier Baz Luhrmann films are sure to get more attention. At least that was the distribution idea. Miramax worked to connect the films by adding a red curtain motif that is so prevalent on the "Rouge" DVD. If truth were said, that is just the packaging for that film was an offbeat and dark musical. This film is light, frivolous and a toe-tapping good time. But, it's not exactly original. Scott Hastings is a ballroom champion who loves to dance. In fact, he does not feel boxed in by the limited number of dance steps currently accepted on the dance circuit. But whenever he branches out to new material, the old guard cries foul. They threaten him and do whatever they can to keep things, as they were, no matter how stagnant the sport is getting. But, even when his rebellious moves leave him without a partner, he finds support in a amateur dancer that doesn't have time to improve her physical appearance. More than likely this Ugly Duckling will grow into a gorgeous swan but how will that effect Scott's dancing? Paul Mercurio plays Scott and shows some super individual dance. Tara Morice is the transforming Fran and is extremely likable. This is a great DVD for fans of dance. A nice audio transfer adds beat to your television viewing room and a colorful video transfer.
Rating:
Summary: Like dancing or dance movies? Try this.
Review: I did not rent this movie; someone I know rented it and did not have time to watch. She asked me if I wanted to watch it before it was returned. I am glad that I agreed. There have been a couple of brilliant reviews that analyze why this movie works on several levels. I am a simple viewer of off-beat films, and I admit to liking dance movies (one early favorite being CARMEN). This particular film was not based on any particular myth or opera; it was perhaps a slight send-up of the typical mass-market romance published by Harlequin or Mills & Boons some decades back (the ones where the plain Jane always got her man). It was also a telling commentary on dance competitions, perhaps, conveying to me at least how frenetic the rivalries can be and how crazy the judging can be. [This is probably no surprise to most of us who follow ice-skating either!] The story is a relatively simple one at the very basic level - a young dancer tries to dance the way he wants, and he finds that his partner has abandoned him. In searching for a new partner, he finds a newcomer who wants to dance with him. When push comes to shove (i.e. when he is offered a chance to dance with a seasoned competitor), he drops this new partner and then changes his mind again and again. That's about it. Except that that really doesn't do justice to the sly asides in this film, the sense of mystery about the heroine (and who she really is), and the power of the dances. One of the highlights was the couple learning to dance together on the roof of the dance studio against a commercial billboard as a backdrop. Another was the magnificent paso doble routine with the heroine's father where the hero is cut down to size. Ah yes. I forgot to mention that the hero is not only interested in trying out new steps and challenging the rules of the game, but he is also a rather selfish dancer. He does not think about his partner. This is a point made by his former dancer as well as his new partner and her family. To dance really really well, he must learn to share the dance with his partner, to dance only those moves that enhance the whole experience visually and emotionally for them both. There is the comic aspect that I have mentioned, although I would call it more tragi-comic. The hero's parents have dedicated their lives to dance, but their shared passion has affected them negatively. There are plenty of secrets, some sleazy and others simply pathetic. There is one major villain, of course. There is the hilarious send up of the dance competition world. Everyone who has watched this movie seems to be charmed by it. The director went on to bigger (and perhaps better things) but this is a movie worth picking up, rental or purchase. I understand that the DVD extras are a slight disappointment, but don't let that stop you.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: This is a real magical experience movie. A one of a kind experience! It is not just about dancing, but about personal growth and transformation through love. It is a love story most of all. In this high-energy movie, a young woman who looks rather homely helps the lead actor dance his own steps at the Grand Nationals. He wants to dance his own way and not follow the very tight rules of Ballroom dancing. Everyone thought he was crazy to dance his own steps, except this woman. When she approached him to offer her help at first he thought she was joking because he was a professional and she was merely a beginner. She told him he is afraid and that caught his attention. Her moto, and the moto of this film is: "A life lived in fear is a life half lived." It is a true metaphor for life and in breaking out of the mold setup for us by society and everyone else. With risk taking and following our hearts, we find something deeper and more beautiful then we ever imagined. She shows him some Latin movies he really likes and slowly they learned to dance their own way that was truly beautiful and much different then traditional Ballroom dancing. As they danced together, little by little, the woman transformed into a true beauty. Her believing in him and herself caused her to become more then what she was. There was so much pressure on this young man to succeed and follow the rules that he almost gave in, but her love changed everything. The walls came down at the Grand Nationals and they danced their way- a beautiful elegant, simple Latin dance that had the audience jumping out of their seats in awe. In the end everyone joined in and it was an amazing thing to see! I find this movie to be a very good psychological lesson of following your heart, to stop living in fear even though everyone and everything seems to be against what you know in your heart to be right for you. And by breaking the rules, amazing things can happen for not just you, but the whole society as well. A truly amazing movie with a beautiful message. A one of a kind rare film that will always be my personal favorite.
Rating:
Summary: Spectatular Early Baz Luhrman
Review: This is actually my favourite of Baz Luhrman's films, closely followed by Moulin Rouge and miles ahead of Romeo and Juliet. The story is simple and predictable, but that only adds to its charm, rather than detracting from it. The joy of this film comes from all the little moments, like Scott and Fran's father dancing beside the railway track, or flashback's to Scott's parents careers. The sets and costumes are great, and in many ways this film is a kind of prequel, or companion piece to Moulin Rouge. The performers are for the most part dancers before they are actors, but they are all perfectly competant. The dance numbers really make the movie with wonderful music, slow motion, and slightly less frenetic editing than Luhrman's other movies. The great, funny, romantic, sweet movie, to enjoy time and again.
Rating:
Summary: "Muy bien, Fran. Very good!"
Review: ... This film, the story of the frustrated artist who longs to be creative free from the rules of the established order, who goes on to win the hearts of his audience while the "establishment" looks on disapprovingly and refuses to grant innovation it's due reward could well be said to mirror director Baz Luhrman's own career. This film is a David & Goliath and Cinderella story set in the world of Australian ballroom dancing. And if that seems the most boring idea for a film imaginable then you couldn't possibly be more wrong. For this is a brilliantly innovative and satirical look at the world of ballroom dancing with great camera shots, angles, and has a simple story that belies the fact that it is really quite complex and subltlely plotted. It really repays repeated viewings to catch all of it's themes and ideas and it's brimful of them. The developing relationship between the two principal characters is cinema magic. Mecurio, a professional dancer, said in in interview after this, his first acting experiance that they "hit it off right from the start" and that "she taught me (to act) as much as I taught her to dance" and it shows. Tara even sings "Time after Time" in the movie and her voice is terrific. The chemistry between the two really gives this film great heart and grounds it amongst all the silliness going on around them. And what great comedy it is. From Barry Fife the ADF president to Scott's mum there are some terrific comedy performances here. (Sadly, Pat Thomson, who plays Scott's mum, died before this film was released.) Even though she scrubs up well Fran is still not the best looking girl around and you really do believe Scott falls in love with her because of her courage, determination, and integrity rather than because of her good looks. The film's brilliant finale is not one you'll forget in a hurry either. Great camerawork and terrific storytelling really keep the tension alive and the result will have you cheering as loudly as the audience in the film. If the purpose of good cinema is to inspire and leave the heart soaring then this film succeeds brilliantly. This film was one of Australia's biggest hits of 1992 and it made household names out of it's stars, and Tara Morice is one of Australia's best known and respected actresses today. Although she spends more time being a partner and mother these days she still finds time for occasional zero budget films and TV and stage appearances every now and then. Craig Pearce who co-wrote this film with Luhrman and who has the enviable postion of being Mr Tara Morice also co-wrote "Moulin Rouge" and Tara has a very small part in it, just at the very beginning of the film as the camera ducks under an archway, there she is. This low budget masterpiece, Luhrman's first film, is an unmissable treat for all ages, a true family film. It should become a classic.
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