When Baby arrives at the Catskills Mountain with her family, she meets Johnny Castle, one of the resort’s dance instructors. When Johnny’s dance partner, Penny, falls pregnant and needs an abortion, Baby helps with the cost after discovering that a waiter with his eye on Baby’s sister is the father. So Penny and Johnny don’t lose their salary, Baby agrees to take over for Penny in a routine the two have planned at a nearby resort. During the days of practice, Johnny and Baby start to fall for each other despite their age and class differences.
Like many older movies, some aspects of Dirty Dancing could be deemed problematic today. I grew up with this movie and watched it often when I was younger, so maybe I am seeing everything through rose-colored glasses of nostalgia. Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze had undeniably electric chemistry, which is impressive given how much they allegedly disliked each other while filming most of the movie.
Dirty Dancing is, first and foremost, a romance, but it’s also a coming-of-age film for a young woman who has been taken care of and sheltered for her entire life and finally blossoms when she’s thrown into a world so utterly different from her own. Baby’s character growth in this film is one of the best parts of the script, and Grey nails the role with an appealing, nuanced performance. The film also tackles serious issues like abortion and classism, but those are often forgotten amid the romantic musical montages.
I used to love watching this movie in the summer. Yes, there’s some wish fulfillment going on. The idea of going away to a romantic locale for several weeks in the summer and falling in love with the hunky dance instructor? Um, yes, please. Watching it again for this review was a blast, as it took me back to my youth, when I knew every song and line of this film. Watching it as an adult, it feels much shorter than it used to. It clocks in at only 100 minutes. Also, I certainly understand some more of the humor now!
The soundtrack is amazing. Classics like Hungry Eyes by Eric Carmen, You Don’t Own Me by The Blow Monkeys, My Baby by The Ronettes, and, of course, Patrick Swayze’s own She’s Like the Wind, proving that the man can act, dance, and sing. Even if you don’t enjoy the movie, you must admit the soundtrack is excellent. The music draws you into the atmosphere of the 1960s, as well as the blossoming romance between Baby and Johnny.
Dirty Dancing is everything that you expect it to be. Is it schmaltzy with some really cheesy dialogue? Absolutely! But it’s also really romantic, with some genuinely funny moments and fantastic performances. And, of course, the iconic dance at the end of the film with the equally iconic line: “Nobody puts Baby in the corner.” It was just so joyful and fun. Maybe the end is wrapped up too neatly, but that’s okay with me. I’m not asking for something believable and based in reality when I’m watching a movie called Dirty Dancing. Simply put, it’s an iconic movie and worth a watch.
Watched: 06.15.2021
Notable Song: I’ve Had the Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
