Rating: 
Summary: I didn't know people could dance that way...
Review: The story is very simple. It's about a champion ballroom dancer who has always wanted to dance his own unconventional steps. Doing so, however, he might please the crowd, but not the judges. Three weeks before the Pan Pacific competition, Scott Hastings (the protagonist) has a falling out with his partner for this reason. Little does he know that by teaching a beginner to dance the way he wants to dance, his world would be turned upside down. At the core, this is a lovestory between Scott and his "ugly-duckling" student Fran (short for Francesca).The choreography is nothing short of stunning. The dancing is an integral part of the movie. It tells part of the story. The protagonist ends up learning a new style of dancing called Para Dos (Spanish for "for two") as he reaches a point in the story where he realizes that his life is not to be lived alone anymore; when he finds love. This film catapulted Baz Luhrmann's career. He eventually followed up with films like Romeo and Juliet and Moulin Rouge, incorporating a similar style of audacious characters with love songs from the 80s. Another reason why I like his films is for the humor. You leave feeling cheerful. I guess I'm still a kid at heart, and I like my stories to end "... and they lived happily ever after." LEAP rating (each out of 5):
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L (Language) - 4 (the dancing and music helped in telling the story as well)
E (Erotica) - 0 (n/a - unfortunately)
A (Action) - 0 (n/a - the dancing was amazing)
P (Plot) - 3 (simple love story)
Rating:
Summary: Superb filmwork
Review: Baz Luhrman is one of the great new talents in filmwork. As is evident with three of his big films, Romeo and Juliet, Moulin Rouge, and this one, Strictly Ballroom, he has a true talent for making great films. I love to ballroom dance, and i could relate with much of what was in the film. also, the documentary included in the DVD, "slow samba to foxtrot" is excellent. it's great to see ballroom dancing appreciated by many people around the world. Also, for those who like ballroom dancing films, check out Shall We Dance?, a great ballroom dance film out of Japan. that one is also a classic!
Rating: 
Summary: Baz Luhrmann is an unstoppable genius
Review: While Strictly Ballroom may not be as profoundly groundbreaking as Moulin Rouge, or as poetic as Romeo and Juliet, this Baz Luhrmann major directorial debut is presented in the same thematic style as the above mentioned two masterpieces. The first half of the movie is very comical, heightened, and hysterical in its MTV-like editing, or as Mr. Luhrmann himself refers to it "...audience participation cinema". It really makes you interested in the story and this rather eclectic collection of characters. Strictly Ballroom differs greatly from his other movies in that it is a genuine comedy. A feel-good one at that. If you can overlook some gooey Cinderella-ish moments, you will be pleasantly surprised. This movie is really funny and well worth checking out. A NOTE OF CAUTION: Get the 2002 re-release of the DVD! It is worth the extra bucks to get the new version. I bought the original blue cover DVD (brand new at that!) and the quality is TERRIBLE. Most of my used VHS tapes have crisper sound and picture. I actually rented the 2002 version before buying the movie and it is presented in nice crystal-clear widescreen format and has some cool audio commentaries and picture galleries. The old version is totally devoid of any extras. It should be illegal to sell DVDs with that poor picture and sound quality.
Rating:
Summary: A Brilliant Movie
Review: I think it's interesting that so many reviewers said this movie isn't deep or thought-provoking. Although it is truly romantic and hilarious -- and a tribute to so many great old musicals by someone who obviously loves them -- it is also quite thought-provoking story used to explore a wealth of themes. One friend saw the federation protecting outdated dancing styles as a metaphor for the Catholic Church! Another was reminded of "Dead Poet's Society" and its critical look at education. Don't be afraid to live life outside the box. I admired this director's "Romeo and Juliet" and "Moulin Rouge," but this is my favorite of his trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: dazzling and funny!
Review: Like many people I have seen MOULIN ROUGE, and was thus interested in seeing the first film in Baz Luhrmann's trilogy, STRICTLY BALLROOM. While it's not quite as exciting or sensual as MOULIN ROUGE, it is very entertaining. While the storyline is predictable, the actors' performances are authentic and compelling, especially the relationship between Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice. They have real on-screen chemistry: there is a believable sense of romantic and sexual tension that fuels their desire to win the Pan-Pacific Dance Championship. Obviously Baz Luhrmann loves using lots of saturated color and exaggerated but authentic costumes to bring the world of ballroom dancing to life for those of us unfamiliar with its rituals and triumphs. The dance sequences have to be seen: they are nothing less than incredible! The interactions between the characters is often outright hilarious, and at times poignant. A very enjoyable and touching story--like a fairy tale infused with lots of energy and zest for living. WONDERFUL!!!
Rating:
Summary: Daffy, delightful treat
Review: I saw this movie when it first came out in 1992 and enjoyed it immensely. In 2001 I was bowled over by "Moulin Rouge", but when I saw it, though I knew both movies were directed by Baz Luhrmann, much of "Strictly Ballroom" had faded from memory. Recently, I saw it again, and realized how very much it foreshadows its big, bold cousin. It stands on its own merits, but now it also looks strikingly like the genesis of "Moulin Rouge". There is also an irony. The main character is denounced and ridiculed by some of the movie's characters for the excesses and the flamboyance he uses in his work. Nine years later, Luhrmann endured the same criticisms for his directing style in "Moulin Rouge". This is a comedy about a young man [Paul Mercurio] who grows up in the bizarre, insular world of Australian ballroom dance competitions. He's a marvelous dancer with a tendency to introduce his own steps. He wants to break the strict rules that have grown up in the competitions over the years. Thought a twist of fate, he finds a partner [Tara Morice] who also has a spirited and rebellious nature. Their battle to free up their little dancing world makes for a sweet, eccentric and charming movie. Don't expect to find the razzle dazzle of "Moulin Rouge" here, simply because this is a little movie. I imagine its budget was fifty times less. But that's fine. It has plenty style, finesse and quirky glamour. There's also plenty of great music and dancing. Though comparisons to "Moulin Rouge" are inevitable, "Strictly Ballroom" is perhaps more similar to two of my other favorite Aussie films - "Muriel's Wedding" and "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert", both released in 1994.
Rating:
Summary: Ballroom Fairytale Fun!
Review: If you like Ballroom dancing and fairytales then you will love this movie. It is silly and fun to watch. You'll root for the good guys and boo the bad guys. The dance scenes are excellent especially the Paso Doble. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Creative, romantic and fun!
Review: This movie is all of these things and more! The editing of scenes (a Baz trademark) as well as the interaction between characters is absolute genius. Yes, it's choppy. Yes, it's fast paced. But isn't that the point? This movie is fun to watch, there is never a dull moment and Baz slows down where appropriate, as in the scenes with Fran's family. Scott's transformation from prize obsessed snob to tradition breaking love struck star is wonderful to watch. This movie keeps you on your toes, not only with the fast paced action, but also with twists and turns at every turn. You never know when Liz will show up screaming. If you enjoy Baz's style and you haven't seen this movie, you're missing out on a movie of pure joy. If you don't enjoy Baz's style, well then you're just missing out period. This is a great one- enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Meet the sensitive and mellow side of Baz Luhrman
Review: Scott Hastings has been dancing since he was six years old and has a lot of friends and family supporting him (as well as pressuring him) as he works toward winning the Pan Pacific Championship. Fran has only been dancing for two years and has never even had a partner before. Despite that she approaches him after watching him make up steps by himself and says flat out, "I want to dance with you." He laughs at her at first but a few weeks later they`ve become the perfect rumba couple and he`s the one saying, "I want to dance with you." His family objects to this but Scott`s interests change and he concludes that he`s going to dance with Fran at the Championship and he doesn`t care about winning. The story contains a few twists that have our romance couple giving eachother the cold shoulder, but all the annoying characters in this movie change by the end and everybody learns the lesson they need to.
I was interested in seeing this movie after I fell in love with "Moulin Rouge" and saw the same director`s ingenious interpretation in "Romeo and Juliet" (even if that specific movie of his lacked in a few areas.) I didn`t expect too much of it, but even if I had I doubt I would have been at all dissapointed. The first thing I noticed was that this film wasn`t remarkably like Luhrman`s others. It resembles "Moulin Rouge" in only a few noteworthy ways and doesn`t resemble "Romeo & Juliet" at all. It doesn`t hold the usual Baz charm, but it has a lot of other charm as a satisfying substitution. I thought the whole movie was just very sensitive and heartfelt, and not too heavy or loud. I hesitate to say that`s it`s "light-hearted" - usually when people say that about movies they`re describing chick flicks that treat the viewer like an [imbasil]. But in comparison to Luhrman`s other movies which contain scene-after-scene doses of lots of drama, this specific movie is quite light-hearted. The only heavy drama here is in the dance choreography. I enjoyed this director`s other films splendidly, but I think I might have enjoyed this one for completely different reasons that don`t have much to do with the fact that the same director as "Moulin Rouge" did it.
Rating:
Summary: Rolling eyes changed to delighted grins!
Review: I use "Strictly Ballroom" in my Sophomore English classes as a prompt for essays about theme and culture. When I tell them that this is a movie about dancing, many of the kids roll their eyes and prepared to sleep through it. However, they soon find themselves involved, laughing at the faux interviews which open the movie, then curious about what will happen next to the characters. Although this is certainly not a deep, thought-provoking movie, it does provide entertaining writing ideas. I highly recommend it!
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