- Film Review
- Reviewed By Sue Heal
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4 out of 5
This feel-good dance drama works a curious charismatic magic and catapulted the then-unknown Patrick Swayze to stardom. It was intended as a low-budget filler, a tale of sexual awakening at a Jewish holiday camp in 1963, but it became a much-loved blockbuster and kick-started major industry careers for its production team. The casting is perfect, with Swayze playing the sexy bad boy dancing coach and Jennifer Grey as the feisty middle-class teenager, and their relationship never strikes a false note. But what really makes the film unmissable is the fabulous dancing - despite being highly erotic, it's never tacky.
Plot Summary
Romantic drama starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze. Teenager Frances "Baby" Houseman arrives at a mountain resort hotel with her family in the summer of 1963. Bored by family games and unimpressed by the attentions of the hotel owner's grandson, she meets dance instructor Johnny Castle, who teaches her the art of "dirty dancing".
Cast and crew
Cast
- Frances "Baby" Houseman
- Jennifer Grey
- Johnny Castle
- Patrick Swayze
- Dr Jake Houseman
- Jerry Orbach
- Penny Johnson
- Cynthia Rhodes
- Max Kellerman
- Jack Weston
- Lisa Houseman
- Jane Brucker
- Marjorie Houseman
- Kelly Bishop
- Neil Kellerman
- Lonny Price
- Robbie Gould
- Max Cantor
- Tito Suarez
- Charles Honi Coles
- Billy Kostecki
- Neal Jones
- Magician
- "Cousin Brucie" Morrow
- Stan
- Wayne Knight
Crew
- Director
- Emile Ardolino
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