Remember when people hadn’t heard of Baz Luhrmann? His very first feature film Strictly Ballroom makes an entrance in fab-u-lous 4K this month, and it is an absolute delight!
From the moment that the red curtains part, revealing the high-octane, sharp-elbowed world of competitive ballroom dancing, viewers of a certain age will know that they are in for a treat.
Strictly Ballroom not only became an instant feelgood success when it was first released in 1992, it has also gone on to inspire the name of a much-loved entertainment show in the UK (Strictly Come Dancing, which is known in other English-speaking regions as Dancing With the Stars). It was also, lest we have forgotten, Baz Luhrmann’s very first feature film.
For younger generations who may not have had the absolute pleasure of seeing Strictly Ballroom so far, the story centres around Scott Hastings (Paul Mercurio), a dancer on the verge of winning the big competition he has striven for his entire dance career. Just weeks away, his dance partner ends their partnership because she doesn’t agree with Scott wanting to break the rules and dance his own steps. Scott takes the unconventional decision to partner with Fran (Tara Morice), a novice yet enthusiastic dancer in his parents’ dance school. The pair are mismatched, but gradually work on their routine, which also (of course) brings them romantically closer together.
It’s a simple romantic comedy set in a world of bronzer and sequins, and in that respect it’s not dissimilar from other 90s romcoms. The arrogant, handsome guy learns some home truths and grows as a person; the ‘ugly duckling’ takes off her glasses and learns to dance; the self-serving business man loses his dignity and his toupee. But Strictly Ballroom has the added benefit of dance. Beautiful, uplifting, bright costumes, frills, glitter and an amazing slide-across-the-floor entrance that will lift everyone’s spirits, no matter how many times you’ve watched. Combined with a couple of cheesy yet earnest through-themes – “a life lived in fear is a life half-lived” for example – Luhrmann’s debut nevertheless has been one of those comfort films that people return to again and again. It’s funny, uplifting, touching – in fact, the best word to describe Strictly Ballroom is ‘joyful’.
If this has long been one of your favourites, or if you haven’t seen it in a while, then don’t miss the chance to see it in the cinema or online in full, glorious 4K (with Blu-ray release next month). And if you haven’t ever watched this treasure before, what are you waiting for?!
Strictly Ballroom has a 4K theatrical and digital release on 12th June, with a 4K UHD, Blu-ray release on 27thJuly.
Remember when people hadn’t heard of Baz Luhrmann? His very first feature film Strictly Ballroom makes an entrance in fab-u-lous 4K this month, and it is an absolute delight!
From the moment that the red curtains part, revealing the high-octane, sharp-elbowed world of competitive ballroom dancing, viewers of a certain age will know that they are in for a treat.
Strictly Ballroom not only became an instant feelgood success when it was first released in 1992, it has also gone on to inspire the name of a much-loved entertainment show in the UK (Strictly Come Dancing, which is known in other English-speaking regions as Dancing With the Stars). It was also, lest we have forgotten, Baz Luhrmann’s very first feature film.
For younger generations who may not have had the absolute pleasure of seeing Strictly Ballroom so far, the story centres around Scott Hastings (Paul Mercurio), a dancer on the verge of winning the big competition he has striven for his entire dance career. Just weeks away, his dance partner ends their partnership because she doesn’t agree with Scott wanting to break the rules and dance his own steps. Scott takes the unconventional decision to partner with Fran (Tara Morice), a novice yet enthusiastic dancer in his parents’ dance school. The pair are mismatched, but gradually work on their routine, which also (of course) brings them romantically closer together.
It’s a simple romantic comedy set in a world of bronzer and sequins, and in that respect it’s not dissimilar from other 90s romcoms. The arrogant, handsome guy learns some home truths and grows as a person; the ‘ugly duckling’ takes off her glasses and learns to dance; the self-serving business man loses his dignity and his toupee. But Strictly Ballroom has the added benefit of dance. Beautiful, uplifting, bright costumes, frills, glitter and an amazing slide-across-the-floor entrance that will lift everyone’s spirits, no matter how many times you’ve watched. Combined with a couple of cheesy yet earnest through-themes – “a life lived in fear is a life half-lived” for example – Luhrmann’s debut nevertheless has been one of those comfort films that people return to again and again. It’s funny, uplifting, touching – in fact, the best word to describe Strictly Ballroom is ‘joyful’.
If this has long been one of your favourites, or if you haven’t seen it in a while, then don’t miss the chance to see it in the cinema or online in full, glorious 4K (with Blu-ray release next month). And if you haven’t ever watched this treasure before, what are you waiting for?!
Strictly Ballroom has a 4K theatrical and digital release on 12th June, with a 4K UHD, Blu-ray release on 27thJuly.
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