User reviews

Dirty Dancing is a classic film that is so memorable that it is hard to say anything negative about it.

It has a reasonable plot but is accompanied by an immortal soundtrack and moments that make this film remarkable. Herein lies it's value as it can be revisited for positive memories and a soundtrack second to none. While many will argue Schindler's list or 12 Years A Slave is a superior film not many will agree you can revisit or watch it over again. The songs featured in this classic will be included on our iPod's and play on the radios for years to come. We will never forget when Patrick Swayze hoisted Jennifer Grey up for the dance sequence at the end, timeless moments that keep this film alive and memorable.

Dirty Dancing in its essence is a film about letting go of strict societal norms and letting the music embrace you. You dance and feel the beat as opposed to observing rules and steps, the music dictates the rhythm and mood. Perhaps this iconic film was significant in the departure from traditional dancing as fewer people know dancing. Dancing as we see in modern movies or real life is people moving to the music without any defined steps, perhaps started by this iconic film.

This film is a must see and should be on your bucket list. It is easy to understand and easy to get lost in this great soundtrack.

Is the movie predictable? Does it ooze with Cliches? Might it annoy you with its romantic/soft tones? Well the latter question is one only you can answer ... the other ones are quite easy to answer. No matter if you like the movie or not ... but it is beloved for many reasons. One that is not mentioned enough is the soundtrack! Just great songs all the way through.

The other obvious reasons are the main actors/characters. You have Patrick Swayze - the hot rebel ... hard on the inside, soft as cotton on the inside. So frail that some men may have quite a few issues with him. But this is not aimed at any macho loving public - this is aimed at women! And their fantasy - most of them that is, because as with men you can't say they are all the same.

The fact that this man, who seems so full of confidence has no idea ... makes him more than attractive to women ... and some men of course. Let's not forget about them as well. So while you can dissect this really easy ... you can also just enjoy the romp - and maybe carry a watermelon ... although you probably are more likely to get excited about the nobody puts baby in the corner line ... if you don't get goosebumps towards the end ... well it is an indication that you probably won't like the movie as much.

A clash of rich and poor ... of sex through dance ... those motions ... those hip movements ... there was a time where this was not only dirty dancing, but also illegal dancing ... good thing we do not live in a time like that, right? That aside, the movie really is quite the experience ... in a really good sense.

You cant get any better then this, Mr Jeffries!! Patrick Swayze is hot and Jen Grey portrays the role of Baby nicely....the dancing rocks and the music is slamming GO Baby GO!!!

One word sums up this film "Perfection". That's it really!! I saw this film in 1987 when it was released and was completely blown away and like Baby I fell in love with Johnny and Patrick Swayze. It has such classic lines as "I carried a watermelon" and "Nobody puts Baby in the corner" and too many others to mention. I loved the story, the characters, the setting, the dancing, and well … the music was phenomenal not one bad song in the whole soundtrack. It just shows that you don't have to spend a fortune to make a great film. Thank you to the cast and crew for making such a wonderful film which makes me smile like a Cheshire cat whenever I watch it.

I really didn't understand "Dirty Dancing" on that first viewing, I freely come clean on that. I tended to get hung up on the more "fanciful" elements and really missed the point. Baby's is a coming-of-age story, and it's one that has some real heart. And then the father-daughter subplot kicks in and it's got me; I'm a sucker for that. Also for Hungry Eyes, apparently (best song on the soundtrack, ya ask me).

Speaking of which, the music in this movie is incredible. And considering the soundtrack dominated the airwaves for a good deal of 1987, it's readily apparent how this film was a cultural force. I was too young to appreciate that, but I'm not anymore.

Swayze and Grey are electric, and the story goes that their working relationship was fraught with fiction. Knowing this, I can absolutely appreciate the work they put into this and the results speak for themselves.

I don't really know what it is about Dirty Dancing.. there is some sort of absolute magic in this movie.. I cannot possibly recount the hundreds (yes, hundreds)of times I've watched it, beginning to end... but every time I do come upon it on TV, I am entranced and mystified and sit myself down and there I am, for two hours, loving the movie as if I'm watching it for the first time. Although Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey absolutely hated each other throughout the making of this film, they possess a beautiful chemistry on the set.. it makes the viewer enjoy it that much more, to see this passion and commitment.. and I can't help tearing up a tiny bit at the end, when Patrick comes up to the Houseman family and tells her dad, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner". (classic moment) For all those people who believe this movie is corny and sappy, maybe in a way it is, but it was the penicle of the 80's films, and put Patrick Swayze right on the map; his performance was immaculate.

Three Cheers for Dirty Dancing !!

Ps- The soundtrack is fantastic, an absolute masterpiece

Although set in 1963, the popular, music-driven "Dirty Dancing" is betrayed by its false sense of nostalgia; rarely have I seen a movie which looked so unlike what it was allegedly about. However, anachronisms aside, the casting of Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey pays off: these two definitely have the charisma the story requires, and their union is nearly credible. Plot has a gawky young woman vacationing in the Catskills with her parents, learning to loosen up with help from a slightly-older man who works as a professional dancer. Two silly subplots, one about an unwanted pregnancy and the other involving a stolen wallet, just about render the melodramatics inherent in the scenario utterly superfluous. Who cares about some guy's wallet? It just chews up time until the inevitable finale--an enthusiastic, celebratory climax--and that's where the picture cannot go wrong. **1/2 from ****

This is one of those rare rare films that needs a 30 year break between the time of production and the time of the review in order to appreciate it.

Since 1987 I have seen this film 7 or 8 times. Each time it just gets better. As a Prolific Review here on the IMDb, I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of films that improve with age like that.

This is literally the original "feel good" dance film -- which spawned dozens if not hundreds of imitations. The script is perfect. The acting is perfect. The casting is perfect. The direction is perfect. And the music score is to die for.

Nobody puts Baby in a corner? Well, nobody should ignore this film either! Also has an odd note of the "one hit wonder" label about it, which in my view only makes it more of a treat than it already is.

Swayze's career was unfortunately cut short. Jennifer Grey, who practically made this role a part of her DNA, had a nose job and (the cynics say) lost a lot of later roles because the casting directors were afraid no one would recognize her. And the brilliant writer/Producer Elenor Bergstein for whom this was a labor of love (there was a documentary on this) also seemed to hang up her spurs when production wrapped.

The IMDb rating is a joke. This is no less a classic in its genre than Maltese Falcon or the Matrix.

See it, rent it, buy it. But don't forget it.

((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

I'll start by saying that there is very little wrong with this film; it has a great cast, a charming story, strong dialogue and some excellent characters; not to mention a good soundtrack.

I did enjoy this movie and i can understand why so many people hold it in such high regard, it's a fine film; the only thing that lets it down for me is the subject matter, dancing isn't really my thing. So my score of 6/10 is a testimony to how good a film this really is, for a film of this type to entertain me, even just a little surprised me completely. There is simply nothing to hate here, as it tells the story of a girls journey into womanhood, and the dancing is simply the catalyst for the change.

Pretty corny, cliché, and laughable. I didn't see it when it came out... most of my girl-friends have seen it and I can see why a teenage 80s girl would love it. As a teenage 80s male and now a middle aged man, this movie is predictable and soooooo cringe worthy.

This movie has stood the test of time. Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze make movie magic with the sultry dance moves. The choreography and the music make this a ride you will not want to get off of. Now considered a cult classic, it has spawned a television series, Broadway production and most recently a remake (that was horrific). Fantastic piece of celluloid history that ought to be revisited every now and again.

This is the film that catapulted Patrick Swayze to be an international super-star and household name, and rightly so. He was awesome as Johnny Castle, dance teacher and entertainer in an American Holiday camp frequented by a doctor and his family; wife and two girls. One of the girls, Francis "Baby" Houseman, gets caught up with some of the entertainers at the camp and ends up learning to dance at the hands of Swayze. Of course he becomes her first love.

Many of the scenes in the film are so iconic now, as is the music. The film produced two great soundtrack albums, and has been greatly imitated. Baby Houseman, played by Jennifer Grey, found it hard to learn the dance moves, to comic effect. The film is laugh out loud in places by mainly gentle humour, heart, warmth and is about love, loyalty and friendship and with comment on society's differences in class and how you can't judge books by their cover. It's a lovely film, but despite the wonderful dance scenes and great performances by Swayze, Grey and Cynthia Rhodes - a fantastic dancer - but there is also some rather cheesy acting and it's not a perfect film, and hasn't aged that well (also considering that it's set in the early 60s) from the 80s. Despite the flaws, it's a fantastic, entertaining and uplifting film but definitely one for (predominantly) the ladies.

Aside from its obviously problematic central relationship (yikes), there isn't really anything particularly 'wrong' with 'Dirty Dancing (1987)'. Having said that, it's never more than 'fine'. Though its plot is more impactful and consistent than the plots of similar work such as 'Flashdance (1983)' and 'Footloose (1984)', the picture doesn't really make the most out of its underlying themes and focal relationship. It's not bad, just somewhat unremarkable. It's never exciting or affecting, for example. It's engaging enough, though, and will probably appeal more to big fans of 80s dance movies than it does to me. 5/10

This timeless summer love story is a classic and will never be dated. I can't even count how many times I've seen Dirty Dancing. This is one movie that I could probably watch every few weeks and still love.

There is something timeless about this movie. I have loved other "blockbuster love story movies" like Pretty Woman and when Harry met Sally. I think their up there but there is something about Dirty Dancing that just makes it absolutely perfect. The characters, the chemistry between Swaze and Grey, the movie's direction, the INCREDIBLE dancing, the warm summery atmosphere, everything about dirty dancing is absolutely perfect. It is an instant classic and I've never really seen a movie like it either before or since.

I don't think there is one particular element that makes this movie so loved but many things, a lot of which are mentioned by numerous reviewers. Dirty Dancing has a nostalgic, languid, summery mood, realistic characters, a relateable honest message coupled with incredible music and dancing, and the one of the best dance sequences cinema has ever given us.

This movie is always on TV and I will continue to watch it as long as they show it. But I WILL mention I have no interest in seeing "Havanna Nights", this one they should have left alone.

80s...........................................Dancing............................Patrick Swayze..............................Baby's in the Corner....................Abortion..........................Lake Dancing

Who wouldn't think this was one of the best movies EVER. Even as a very masculine male I find this film very entertaining. It represents a time when films could be based completely on dancing and music without the modern day clichés. This film represents a time when love could blossom in the summer, and also the unending (yet creative) story of a daughter who grows to be a woman … through dance.

Grade: ***** out of *****

Although the story is ordinary, the male and female protagonists sparkle, the dance scene is very sexy, and the music is very beautiful. The heroine's performance was also very good

The Time Of My Life and Hungry Eyes are timeless Pop Hits, allowing them to transcend time to be the soundtrack to the summer of 1961 for a Reagan-like resort with a very horny staff. The age gap between the leads (Swayze and Grey) ages poorly, but their chemistry is undeniable.

Time setting aside, this is an eighties' movie to its core with all the decade-defining tropes: training montage, surface-level class commentary and surprise somber subplots. Kenny Ortega brings some serious choreography heat to this film that likely serves as an inspiration for his later masterpiece, High School Musical 2. Dirty Dancing's 80's brand of corny charm has just increased with time as nostalgia for the decade continues to grow; this charm combined with iconic musical scenes makes it easy to see why it became the cult classic it is.

I viewed this movie for the first time last night and I enjoyed every aspect of it –the dancing, the acting, the dialogue, the plot, the script and the whole atmosphere that this movie created. I would highly recommend it.

Jennifer Grey gives an absolutely wonderful and first class performance in her role as Frances (Baby) Houseman. She has a natural ability and flair for dancing and she is beautiful and enchanting on the dance floor. But what is wonderful about Baby is that she has such a wonderful depth and dimension to her character. This is not simply a movie about dancing but the scriptwriters have also given us a chance to see Baby deal with the various emotions and feelings that she is experiencing throughout the movie and to allow us an insight into how her interaction with others at the camp changes her life. Grey portrays her character with such realism and poignancy that you end up feeling deeply for Baby as she experiences all she does in this movie.

Patrick Swayze is magnificent in his role as Johnny and truly succeeds in making his character come alive. He gives his character a comprehensive personality, strong appeal and great depth. The chemistry between Swayze and Grey is enchanting and powerful and contributes significantly to the great success of this movie

Cynthia Rhodes is great in her role of Penny and her portrayal of the ordeal that she experiences is truly powerful and contributes a frightening dimension to the film. The other members of the supporting cast –Jerry Orbach and the late Mark Cantor deserve a special mention here-also give wonderful and imaginative performances that gives this movie an additional dimension of high quality acting and believability that is wonderful to experience. The dancing is magnificent and first class on the part of all involved.

The script and interaction between all the major characters is intriguing and engages the viewer in a powerful fashion. The plot, although exceedingly predictable, is given more than enough life and vitality to make this movie successful.

Furthermore the wonderful selection of music contained in this movie creates a truly magical atmosphere and very nostalgic environment that enhances the quality and success of all the various scenes.

`Dirty Dancing' is a truly powerful, magnificent and very appealing movie that leaves you deeply touched and with a wonderful feeling in your heart and soul and an inspiration to dance. I highly recommend it

This was kind of the typical Hollywood trainwreck movie. Put it another way: I know of a childhood neighbor-friend who would love it - his tastes in TV and movies being different than mine. Many of the scenarios in the movie seem either implausible or outright morally wrong. Any father I know from the 1960's would NEVER let their daughter run around amongst a bunch of adults!! This movie takes place at a summer retreat for wealthy families, and 'baby' (Jennifer Grey) is a rich doctor's daughter. She becomes infatuated with one of the dance instructors / entertainers at this retreat, despite some objections from her family. Patrick Swayze's acting is terrible. Dittos to Jennifer Grey. In addition to conning her father to get abortion money for one of the dancers, her doctor-father (Jerry Orbach) seems very progressive in his attitudes for the 1960's. Another disappointment is that there simply isn't a whole lot of dancing.

I have been waiting to see this film for ages and I finally have! As soon as I heard the title I knew that this film would be my favourite film ever and when I saw it believe me I wasn't disappointed!

This film had everything dance, love and Patrick Swayze! There was so much in it and it dealt with important issues, (that were at the time, 1960's) , such as abortion.

The dancing in this film was fantastic, just like the acting was! Swayze was brilliant just like Grey was too!

Although this film was absolutely fantastic you cannot say that you have seen it if you haven't seen the last scene. It really does take your breath away as the whole choreography of the last dance was done brilliantly, it had you dancing at the end of the film and it really wouldn't surprise me if it influenced people to take up dancing!

Overall Dirty Dancing is a film NOT to be missed and even if half the actors are in the: "Where are they now?" period the actors will always have this superb film in their career!

Love a good 80s movie. Patrick swayze at his best. Yer the script maybe poor but it's still an enjoyable movie with a great soundtrack

This is not a good film by an standards. It is very poorly written and the acting is just a little above par (some performances are well below par, but Swayze and Grey do a very good job with little to work with).

What was good:

The dance sequences were choreographed very well and, as stated above, Swayze and Grey were high points.

What was bad:

The script. The "bad" guys were simply too evil to be believable. The best villains are the ones who aren't so obviously evil. These guys (the owner's nephew, the waiter who impregnates the girl) do and say NOTHING that would leave me to believe they could be real people (perhaps there are guys like them, but I sure don't want to see a movie about it).

Another scene, the first where Grey and Swayze meet when the employees at the resort are "dancing". Swayze and Grey dance together and seem to enjoy themselves. The next time they meet, Swayze is hostile towards her. Why? What happened in between to make him dislike her so when they danced well together?

And some of those lines, I mean COME ON (I cringed at the end when Swayze muttered the line "Nobody puts baby in the corner". How did he EVER do that with a straight face.)

Another thing wrong, the setting of the 1960's. Everyone looked and dressed like the 1980's! Who was in charge of the costumes and hairstyles?

The music (original music for the film) was laughable (with the exception of "I Had the Time of My Life" which was a good song).

Not the worst film I've ever seen, but DEFINITELY the most over-rated