Dirty Dancing: 20th Anniversary

"The best way to watch the movie is to fast-forward to the bits with Patrick Swayze dancing.” These were the words of a true hardcore Dirty Dancing fan that gave me advice on how to watch this understated slice of ’80s cinema. The phenomenon that is Dirty Dancing is pretty marvellous. On the surface, it’s a standard, paint-by-numbers click flick (hence the quote) but few films have left such a fanatical impression in their time. Often referred to as a "cult classic,” the film was theatrically re-released on its tenth anniversary, as well as just recently in May for its 20th. Sure, an inferior sequel was made but say the words "Nobody puts Baby in a corner” to any 20- to 30-something woman, or Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy, and you’ll get a fervent cheer. It’s the age-old melodramatic story of "super-sexy older guy from the wrong side of the tracks falls in love with barely legal, little rich daddy’s girl,” but with plenty of unclean dancing. And as amusing as the "forbidden love story” is between pre-nose job Jennifer Grey and Patrick "Swayzedog” Swayze, from an "outsider’s” perspective it really is about the dancing and the ’60s-heavy soundtrack, featuring a modern day Oscar-winning song, which, to be a stickler, factually spoils the show-stopping finale. (Oh, and the wow factor that is the Swayzedog’s awfully tight pants!) This re-release follows the 2003 "ultimate edition” and surprisingly, there is a whole lot more Dirty to be seen here. New features include a tribute to Baby’s daddy, the late Jerry Orbach, outtakes and extended/alternate scenes. However, the real attraction is a ridiculous screen test montage, some deleted scenes and sure enough, a brand new interview with the Swayzedog, who discusses the film in explicit detail, boasting about his dancing expertise and saying things like, "I think it’s the rediscovery of innocence,” which will no doubt force plenty of dreamy sighs from some women.