1992
Directed by Baz Luhrmann
This is the first film in Luhrmann's Red Curtain Trilogy and easily the worst entry. At least he improves but still...yikes.
Scott dreams of winning the Pan-Pacific Grand Prix dancing championship. His...unorthodox moves convince his dance partner Liz that he doesn't have what it takes to win, so she deserts him in favor of another dancer, Ken Railings. Scott to finds a new partner in Fran, a somewhat dumpy beginner. But she's not a good dancer yet!! She also has the audacity to not wear make up!! How on Earth will they win the big competition??
Everyone, even the people who adore this film, even the filmmakers can agree that this plot is incredibly tired. I suppose you are expected to find the presentation so unique that the predicability doesn't matter. Luhrmann will certainly succeed in this approach in his later career, but I really felt like he failed with this one.
I guess overacting is essential to the style of this movie but the cast still got on my nerves. The love story was ridiculously unconvincing. I think Scott would have been a lot happier if he had ended up with Ken. If they were going to include a film on this List with the basic dance movie plot line, I wish it had been Dirty Dancing. The choreography was better in that movie and you know....Patrick Swayze.
Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge are both incredible, but this entry is entirely skippable.
RATING: **---
Interesting Facts:
Paul Mercurio had to dance the final sequence with a sprained ankle.
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