Strictly Ballroom

While I pretty well tore into Baz Luhrmann’s disappointing Australia: The Movie, there was an earlier film Luhrmann created that remains a real favorite: Strictly Ballroom. This is a movie that manages to be hilarious and sweetly touching at the same time. An over-the-top version of Down Under competitive ballroom dancing is the backdrop for young dancers who find romance and a way to pursue their dreams, despite the pressure to conform. Flashbacks are particularly amusing, with older characters making no other alterations than wearing darker wigs to suggest a more youthful period in their lives. But the key characters are never held up to ridicule, and the movie remains charming throughout–and the final dance number will have you cheering.

Here’s a trailer for the film:

I recommend the movie highly. Let me know if you enjoy it.