Rating: 
Summary: My men LOVE this movie!
Review: Call it a "chick flick" if you want, but not within earshot of my dad or my husband. "Strictly Ballroom" is one of my father's top-ten favorite movies, and he's no pansy. He's a WWII vet, a retired commercial fisherman, a mechanical type who can fix anything -- pretty much a Man's Man in every way. My aviation-buff husband is another one who loves this movie, and he's a guy who'd rather get a root canal than watch a sappy romance.We found the movie by accident. We'd planned to see an action flick, but it was unexpectedly sold out. Since we were already at the multi-plex, we figured we'd watch "Strictly Ballroom" because it was about to start (the sexy babe on the movie poster helped convince my husband that it might be worth a shot). This was in Burbank, California, where half the members of any given audience make a living in the film industry. As such, they're pretty jaded. Yet they nearly shrieked with laughter at the movie's maverick humor, and as "Rumba del Burro" played over the closing credits, the entire audience LITERALLY danced out of the theater after a long round of applause. It was the damndest thing we've ever seen. Later, I bought the video and shared it with family and friends. Most of them raved about the movie so much that I ended up buying probably half a dozen copies for gifts. What's really amazing about the story is that it is 100 percent formula cliché - yet it breaks all the molds. It's sexy and sensuous without being promiscuous. It's ribald without the use of profanity. It's the kind of movie you can watch with your little kids, teenagers, your parents, and your grandparents, all at the same time - there are plenty of laughs for every generation, including "adult" humor that gently soars over the heads of children. The moral of my story: DO NOT believe those who tell you this is a just another "woman's movie." The argument could be made that it's actually a man's movie, since the fathers of the two main characters turn out to be the real heroes. In an era where pop culture makes men out to be buffoons, "Strictly Ballroom" is mighty refreshing. WATCH IT.
Rating:
Summary: Who knew Ballroom Dancing was so SEXY!!
Review: I must admit, it took me approximately 20 minutes to actually get into this movie. I so wanted to shut if off, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt and decided to give it more time. I am extremely happy that I did. While this is not a 'masterpiece' as 'Moulin Rouge', it is definately VERY good. The acting was stupendous. The actors made me feel that the story was very real. In a very 'slight' way, I was reminicant of 'Dirty Dancing'. Scott is this Awesome ballroom dancer who does not adhere to 'Strictly Ballroom' rules. He loses a major competition due to his unorthodox dance moves. His overly dramatic dance partner dumps him right before another major competition, and poor Scott is left partnerless. In appears an extremely 'ugly duckling' who wants to dance with him. What happens next is ..... well, I guess you should watch it to know the rest. Overall this was a delightfully lighthearted movie with some poignant scenes that will leave you teary eyed. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
Rating:
Summary: Show me..show me
Review: "Strictly Ballroom" easily became one of those movies I popped in the DVD player during a rainy Sunday. Each viewing only got better with time. Seeing ugly duckling Fran blossom into the kind of person her mother would be proud of, watching Scott be true to his need to dance his own steps is truly exhilarating. And the music? Stays with you well after the movie. Even as I type, "Perhaps" and "Rhumba De Burros" are fluttering thru my head.
It is a "feel good movie" without being cliche. It is a love story without all the sap.
Rating:
Summary: A life lived in fear is a life half-lived, or danced.
Review: OK, there's been the athletic drama genre done before, right? The one with the championship finals being the climactic scene? American Anthem for gymnastics, American Flyers for cycling, and Cutting Edge for skating, to name a few. Well, right on the one, down on the two, left on the three, up on the four, for Strictly Ballroom takes on the ballroom dancing, as popular in Australia as kangaroos and shrimps on the barbie. Much admired by his peers, family, and members of the ballroom dancing establishment, Scott Hastings is seen as the next big champion of the prestigious Pan Pacific Championship. His form is superlative, but he's driven by the need to do some crowd-pleasing steps that don't conform to the samba, rhumba, or whatever dance. As Barry Fife, president of the Australian Dance Federation says, "you can dance anything you like. That doesn't mean you win." Which Scott doesn't, to the fury of his partner, Liz Holt, who ends their partnership. Scott though, is "sick of doing somebody else's steps all the time." His dance coach, Les Kendall, owner of the dance academy, his overcontrolling mother, and Barry Fife, i.e. the establishment, want him to toe the line. His bespectacled and thin father, Doug, isn't that assertive about it, seeming inconspicuous and insignificant, but there are some things about him that don't meet the eye. Fran, a not-too-pretty beginner in the dance class, boldly asks Scott to be his partner for the Pan Pacifics and to dance his way, gutsy as no beginner has the right to approach an open amateur like that. Fran persists, and as she and Scott practice together, the time lapse shows Fran blossoming, wearing her hair down, her hair turning a lovely dark brown, and we learn she is Portuguese. The lovely cover of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" in these sequences is sung by Mark Williams and Tara Morice, who plays Fran. This song really takes a nice romantic edge with its softer production. The pair later get dancing instructions from Fran's father, who at first looks intimidating, but takes to Scott. However, look at the title, strictly ballroom. This means rigid conformity with the steps associated with the dance, no fancy steps, which can add life to any old dance. And there's the cheesy glitz associated, as the corrupt president wants to fix Scott up with Tina Sparkle, a sizzling shallow blonde with a nice fruit costume motif. After all, "a Pan Pacific champion becomes a hero, a guiding light to all dancers, someone who'll set the right example." Translation: a conformist. Some of the characters who are louder and more garish are annoying, such as Scott's shrewish mother and Liz. It's characters like Scott, Fran, and Doug who are winning characters, as is Les, who sees potential in Scott: "You've got a light in you boy. Let it shine." When I first saw this in 1994, I had no idea it was directed by Baz Luhrman, known for the notoriously splashy and overdone Moulin Rouge. As it is, Strictly Ballroom is glitzy but not overdone, with the dancing sequences and costumes topnotch. It may take two to tango, but the tango isn't the only dance, people. And if you don't want to tango, do the paso doble instead.
Rating:
Summary: Quirky Sweet Romantic Comedy
Review: This has been my all-time favorite movie since my first viewing. If you like musicals, and somewhat off-beat comedy, you will enjoy it. If you like to watch dancing, you'll be over the moon. It's a good romance, a 'Cinderella Story' with a twist. Plus the music is great - I have the soundtrack too. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Just a warning
Review: NOT what I expected. The first few minutes left me feeling disjointed and confused with its rapid-paced asides to the audience, but it calms down a bit into general kookiness. A satire mocking the professional dancing profession, it presents sometimes shocking extremes. I agree with other reviewers about the charm, and certain scenes are undeniably stirring, but they are mixed in with some unsettling hooplah. This is actually not a movie I plan to go back to.
Rating:
Summary: Outrageously good
Review: Easily my favorite film of all time. I used to rent the hell out of this at the video store, and now that I own it on DVD, it's been played at least three dozen times. The commentary is interesting, and the background info is informative although relatively brief, but it's really all about the film. I enjoyed Moulin Rouge, and felt mixed emotions over Romeo + Juliet, so I'm not one of those Baz the genius sycophants. But this movie is incredibly funny and good, sexy, moral, and entertaining from beginning to end. That's pretty rare, especially these days where amorality, nonsense and shallow platitudes rule the screen. If you don't know anything about ballroom dancing you'll be intrigued, if you don't like it you'll be converted, and if you love ballroom dancing you'll drop your pants for this film. It is that good.
Rating: 
Summary: Kooky, sweet and charming
Review: Visually inconsistent. Doesn't have the overall theme, consistency and scope of Moulin Rouge. But Strictly Ballroom has more heart and less corn - very charming. The dancing is very romantic - don't be put off by the fact that's it's about ballroom dancing. It's just a crazy counterpoint to the sweet love story. The two leads are very appealing, and everyone else is plum looney. A bit dark, and low key, but very nice. If you are a huge Moulin Rouge fan, check this out to see what Baz carried over to that film.
Rating:
Summary: Charming, witting and wonderful
Review: This is one of Baz Lurhman's breakthrough movies, before his great Moulin Rouge, and his skill for showing the odd side of normal people and the normal side of odd people is prevalent in this highly funny, warmly engaging and endearingly romantic movie. Set against the often over-the-top world of competitive ballroom dancing, the characters are nonetheless real and understandable, especially the two leads. A definite must see!
Rating:
Summary: My anti-depressant
Review: Okay, maybe that's an overstatement, but the first time I watched this movie, I checked it out of the library. I was a recently divorced single parent of two, struggling with a house note and bills I couldn't pay. On this particular day, I was fighting a bad cold, and feeling generally tired and unhappy. I took this movie out based only on the "Two Thumbs Up" recommendation of Siskel & Ebert at the bottom of the case. After viewing this film, I felt energized and full of good humor. I eventually bought it and have shared it with my mom, sister, kids, friends, and new husband. They all loved it! Where do I start? 1. The performances. Everyone in this movie is wonderful. They are believable and credible even though the material is completely over the top so much of the time. I love these people. 2. Then there's the romance. The main love story is very sweet, but all throughout the film, you feel like romance is literally in the air. It's also amazing how much sensuality is conveyed without any overt sexuality. 3. The dancing. I never gave ballroom dancing a thought until I saw this movie. Now, I love watching it. 4. The family relationships. They may seem unbelievable, but that mother is all too familiar to me. 5. Paul Mercurio--he's hot! Enough said. This movie is funny, touching, and like nothing I've ever seen before or since. I can't even compare it to anything else. I'm happy to see how favorably other people have reviewed it.
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