Dirty Dancing (20th Anniversary) [Import]

That was the product that I was expecting. I'm quite satisfied whit my purchase. thanks a lot for you services.

A Movie,which has so much to give for others to learn,especially the young,who can experience the simple things in life and make a great impact in their own lives

THIS IS A SPOILER FILLED POST.

For many years the classic movie Dirty Dancing has inhabited my radar. Because of my beautiful wife I have experienced this film multiple times on dvd, enjoyed it once in the theatre, and was entertained three times by the story on stage. We also became conversant with all the minutia involved having immersed ourselves in both of the commentaries and all the extras on both versions of the dvd's we treasure.

To say this has transformed into a major pre-occuopation for us is an understatement.

For the uninitiated to the Dirty Dancing movement, the movie starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze was released in 1987 and immediately became a smash hit. Written by Eleanor Bergstein, and very loosely based on her life, this story intergrated itself into the popular culture. It seems like a rite of passage for all teen girls to devour this movie. Just like Titanic years later, a chord was struck causing me to wonder what was in the DNA of these tales which birthed such devotion? A SPOILER FILLED synopsis is next.

This love story of change starts in the summer of 1963 when the main character, called Baby, is 16 and is on a family vacation to a large resort. She is a liberal idealist with a large Kennedy streak and a hero worship of her dad. Very shortly after arriving (7 minutes into the movie) she glimpses rebel dance instructor Johnny, and gets a first taste of the behind the scene politics at the resort. Growing bored with supposed monotony of the activities, she seeks something different and one night wanders into the off limits Staff Quarters area. Here is her first shocking exposure to the "Dirty Dancing" of the title.

The next night she disdainfully hangs out with the resort owners grandson and finds Penny, Johnny's old friend, in much distress. Instead of going to the grandson, she runs to tell Johnny. At this point, the plot really kicks into gear. Penny is pregnant by Robbie, the jerk waiter, and he refuses to help. Baby manages to get money for the abortion from her dad (by lying) but the only time the doctor is available is when Penny has to do a dance routine. Baby volunteers to train and learn the dance moves in order to fill in for Penny. And along the way Baby and Johnny grow closer and closer. After the routine, they return to the resort only to find Penny in distress from the botched abortion. Baby runs to get her dad, who is also a doctor, and after he saves the day, she is told off. Baby discusses this with Johnny, and after admitting their feelings, the two make love and she is no longer a virgin.

As their relationship progresses, a problem arises when Johnny is falsely accused of theft. Baby was with Johnny the night of the crime, and has to come forward in order clear him. This admission causes even more problems with her dad, and Johnny is fired for fraternizing with her. After the tearful goodbye Baby is depressed, even on the night of the final show of the year at the resort. At this point Baby's dad finds out it was Robbie who got Penny pregnant, and realizes he was wrong about Johnny. Then the unthinkable happens. Johnny comes back, says the immortal line "Nobody Puts Baby In A Corner" and takes Baby by her hand onto the stage. After a brief speech praising her, Baby and Johnny do a final spectacular dance number which culminates with a lift and a rousing ovation from the crowd. Baby's dad apologizes to Johnny and everyone lives happily ever after.

Whew! I should have just said they met, they fell in love, and they danced a lot!

For a long time my thoughts tried to zero in on the why of this tale and finally I came up with a hypothesis. Armed with this idea, we re-watched Dirty Dancing yet again, constantly pausing to debate points and take copious notes. And the conclusion I reached some time ago bear fruit.

Baby wants to make her own decisions.

Despite the support of her father and their mutual desire to change the world, Baby does not not feel like she is fully in control of her destiny. Taking part in the Kennedy revolution, joining the Peace Corp, saving South East Asia (Viet Nam), and bringing equality to the south are all on the agenda for her future. Also if she cozied up and wed the owners grandson Neal, all the better. He is a Kennedy liberal as well, all set to join the Freedom Riders, and seems like a perfect match. But Baby is not interested, and is put off when Neal becomes a bit of a condescending jerk. He treats her like an equal, then like a child.

Right after this scene is when Penny is found by Baby, with Neal being left in the dark as to what is happening. He is standing right beside her. But she does not tell him. Some intuition kicked in. She wants to, has to, help Penny. But somehow she realizes Neal is not the answer. Instead of being her fellow idealist, he would become the owners grandson. She knows this. So Baby does what her soul tells her to do, help. But how?

She makes a decision. To get Johnny.

At this point, 25 minutes into Dirty Dancing, all dialogue ceases to exist for a minute, and as a waltz plays Baby runs to get Johnny. He can become an ally to solve whatever the crisis is. This is a monumental turning point in which everything else in Dirty Dancing hinges on. To Baby, she is simply living what was taught by her parents. Help people. Do no harm. Give everyone fairness. But she knows her father would never approve of this course of action. Let the proper authorities (resort management) handle this. She is conflicted but trying to do her best.

The problem gets worse when she meets the evil of Robbie who refuses any entreaties to do the right thing. He is the antithesis to all Baby is. And he justifies it with sickening logic. This causes her next decision to again bring conflict onto conflict. Penny needs $200 for the abortion which Robbie is refusing, so Baby goes to her father. And lies. For the greater good she lies. At the 30 minute mark (of a 105 minute long movie) she tells her father the money is not going to anything illegal (abortion was at the time). And her dad apologizes for even asking! Baby is trying to chart her way through these moral conundrums and keep her soul intact. It's not always easy to help people.

Her next turning point is actually quite easy, to volunteer to substitute for Penny in the dance routine. Under the tutelage of Johnny and Penny, she quickly absorbs the moves. This part causes no qualms for Baby, since dancing is not against the law, or something her father would disprove of. Despite some of the bickering during training, Baby is really enjoying this part. Helping people and having fun, isn't this how it is supposed to be? And what shocks Baby is when Penny thanks her. Why would she do this? Baby is just doing what should be done. It is simply natural.

What follows is another easy choice. When Penny is in pain from the operation, Baby runs and gets her father, the doctor. Again, this brings no hesitation to her thoughts. She just acts. And her father saves the day. Working under the assumption that her father will view it the same way as she does, that someone needs help you help, Baby is instead sternly told off. Realizing it is not about Penny's situation, but rather Baby's closeness to Johnny. In the aftermath of this, the couple talk about the father's disapproval. Will Johnny take her away from destiny? For he is not Neal the approved. This causes Johnny to yearn for acceptance and love. Baby responds by realizing Johnny awakens her idealism and gives her purpose. All those lofty causes become reality around him. Textbook into practice. And this understanding brings forth her true emotions, which is love for Johnny. Leading to Baby's second major decision, to make love to Johnny. First time sex is always a milestone for young women, even more so in 1963.

Knowing of the consequences, she keeps the relationship secret, only revealing it's existence under duress. An impossible situation with Johnny wrongfully accused of a crime. His alibi is her. But he keeps her secret. So Baby is faced with the decision and she does what she always does. The right thing. Admitting she was with Johnny the night of the crime. In front of her entire family. Whether it is 1963 or today, what young woman would be comfortable discussing her sex life like this? This brings to a head the issues with her dad. And to her credit, Baby stands up to him and his double standards. She is sorry for having to lie to him, but he caused this occurrence with his attitude. She practiced what he preached. Her clearing of Johnny still gets him fired, which upsets Baby and depresses her. And she shouted "We did it all for nothing!"

The ending finally brings validation to Baby and her choices when Johnny publicly praises her on stage. Calling Baby by her real name, Frances, he talks about idealism and her living example. His real world problems may have brought focus to her thoughts, but her faith in him showed possibilities unending to Johnny. She gave him a hand up, not a hand out. And then they danced to celebrate their love.

I would seriously love to see Baby explain everything to her father the next day. That must have been quite a conversation!

So many decisions, large and small, transform Baby into Frances. From deciding whom to contact, to lying, to admitting to sex, Frances breaks free and becomes her own woman. She still shares so much with her father, a common viewpoint and love of humankind, but is now plotting her own destiny. For so many young women, this is a turning point in life. Read more ›