Strictly Ballroom

Scott Hastings wants to break the STRICTLY BALLROOM rules and dance his way. Will he ruin his career, or find freedom and love with his new dance partner?

Scott Hastings is a ballroom dance champion who loses his partner when he breaks the STRICTLY BALLROOM rules and dances with non-federation steps. Now he's got three weeks to find a new partner and train before the Pan Pacific Grand Prix Amateur Five Latin American Championship. When Fran ("Just Fran.") asks to be his new partner Scott's amazed at her temerity. While he's been dancing and winning trophies since he was six, Fran has only been dancing for two years. And with another girl! Scott's desire to dance his own way soon wins out over his reservations and he gives her a chance. Before long she and her family are teaching Scott a thing or two. The most important of which is how to dance from the heart.

Paul Mercurio is dynamic! The man has looks, moves and heart- skipping sexual appeal. His dancing will steal your breath and his exemplary performance as Scott Hastings will steal your heart. By movies end I couldn't remember that other famous aussie's name. Let's see, is it Bill? Del? Oh yeah, Mel. Forgetabouthim.

Tara Morice turns in a strong, sensitive, sensational performance as Fran. Her amazing, Cinderella-like transformation from a plain and unnoticed beginner to Scott's beautiful, confident dance partner is every girl's dream of a fairy-tale come true.

Numerous other performances make this movie shine even more. Most notable is Pat Thompson who plays Scott's over-dramatic, over-bearing and over-made-up mom, Shirley Hastings. The woman will make you cringe as often as she makes you laugh.

From the dazzling costumes and outrageous hair-styles to the exhilarating dance sequences and sweet love story this movie is one you should not miss! There are so many memorable moment's in this film that it was impossible to pick a single favorite. I give STRICTLY ROMANCE Four Stars. I'd have given it five had the romantic relationship between the lead characters been more fully developed. Final word, get off your date (butt), Mate, go to the nearest video store and give this ripper (great) movie a burl (a fair go, try)!

Special thanks to Tracy Rysavy for the excellent recommendation.

Best lines:
"He resorted to his own flashy, crowd-pleasing steps." Les, Scott's coach.

"I've got my happy face on." Shirley Hastings, Scott's mom.

"Maybe I'm just sick of dancing somebody else's steps all the

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