‘Dirty Dancing’ embodies more than just dirty dancing

Dancing and love provide the basis of the 1987 romantic drama movie based in 1963-“Dirty Dancing.” This movie follows the life of Frances “Baby” Houseman, played by Jennifer Grey, through a summer with her family at a resort before she joins the Peace Corp. Over the duration of the summer at the Kellerman’s resort in the Catskill Mountains, Baby’s curiosity leads her to the staff quarters where she meets Johnny Castle, played by Patrick Swayze, a dance instructor, and develops a connection with him. Baby quickly finds herself pulled into the lifestyle of the staff’s living and witnesses how the staff is treated.

After forming a connection with a few of the staff, Baby begins to make excuses to escape from bingo and card games to being around the energetic and spontaneous staff dancers. Johnny’s dance partner becomes pregnant and has it “taken care of” only to become sick from a botched job. Due to this Baby and Johnny must perform a big dance number, and spend countless hours practicing the routine. Baby never danced, therefore keeping Johnny on his toes and learning how to be patient with a different kind of dance lesson as he taught her. As they spend most of the summer together they begin to open up and share their lives with each other; their hopes and dreams.

This movie has been a favorite of mine because I’m a hopeless romantic, but also due to the innocence of both Baby and Johnny. From the beginning of the movie you can tell how sheltered she is, but how pure and innocent Baby truly is. Johnny, however, comes off a tough, protective dance instructor. It’s not until Baby becomes close with Johnny that the viewer is able to see who Johnny is and how both lead characters are similar. Through each other, Baby and Johnny discover the courage they need to be who they are and stand up to their superiors.

When I first watched this movie I thought it would be very uncomfortable, due to the title and because I was watching it with my grandmother. However, this is one of my favorite classic movies and the message will always stay with me. Yes, there is dirty dancing in the movie, however, it is not the same as what most associate with those two words now. To me, the dances of that time may be considered dirty, but they helped the dancer portray emotion and release energy; whether negative or positive.