Title: Dirty Dancing
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Gray, Neil Jones, Cynthia Rhodes,
Director: Emile Ardolino
Duration: 100 minutes
Released: 28th October 2010

Now available for the first time in a DVD & Blu-ray combi pack, Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey star in the beloved coming-of-age story about first love that has become a global phenomenon. Dirty Dancing was the sleeper hit of 1987 this is a newly re-mastered version of the film and it certainly looks good.

I’d never seen the film prior to writing this review, having always assumed it was a chick flick. In many ways I was right. But it’s not what I expected either. And would I be the first person to think it’s all a little bit creepy? Patrick Swayze’s character is a lot older than Jennifer Grey’s character. Well perhaps I am the only one to think it because the film went on to gross over $200m at the box office alone and has probably made even more in VHS, DVD and now Blu-ray sales. All from a comparatively miniscule $5m budget.

Vacationing 17-year-old Baby (Jennifer Grey) meets rebellious Johnny (Patrick Swayze), the hotel dance instructor, who is as experienced as Baby is naïve. Baby becomes Johnny's pupil in dance and in love.

The direction and production values are good and the story – besides my previous gripe – is fairly compelling. The acting is decent and what the hell, if you like Swayze, it’s better than Ghost isn’t it?

There are also a variety of DVD & Blu-ray special features including several retrospective featurettes relating to Swayze and his recent death such as a tribute to Patrick Swayze and an In Memoriam featurette. Also included are a featurette on reliving the locations of the film, a featurette on the phenomenon of the film a fan reel and a featurette on the rhythm of dancing. It also contains a 28 page commemorative booklet filled with quotes, profiles and writer Eleanor Bergman discussing her memories of the film. All in all, it’s a very decent package.

Author : Kevin Stanley