Strictly Ballroom (1992) is an Australian romantic comedy film directed by Baz Luhrmann.
The big theme of this movie illustrated the story on what happened when you are different? Out of norm might not be accepted as the title portrayed “Strictly Ballroom” not to accurately portray real life, is larger than life (blown up). The director chose ballroom as the setting is perfect because ballroom dance has a set of rules to follow to be called a ballroom but when Scott introducing new steps against the rules and norms during the first scene where Liz compliance towards Scott's direction and affirmation on dancing so, which in turn they did not win the competition that's where Liz immediately felt angry and frustrated by screaming in and out storming out the competition hall and his mother studio. She screamed and verbal aggression towards Scott on his unconventional new steps and his disregard of rules. And Scott's mother reaction is disgrace to their family.
This movie portray the need of courage to no follow in line and to be stand out on what you are passionate of. And by trying new things is a risk that will lead to failure and disagreement by others so might as well just follow others because is easier this is through operant conditioning. Especially to be shown by Liz when she did not win the competition so she receive failure so she changed partner to let her win and not to be drag by Scott. Why Barry Fife are so afraid of changes and insists there will be no new steps, simply because he scared of losing power and influence if there is changes, he cannot teach new step he cannot dance new step its all about business for him. For Scott's mother where she does not agree Scott's new steps and even think that's disgrace to the family its because Scott mother is talking about their livelihood, about their business and career not accredited no license, erode power base on telling Scott how to live how to dance. So she compliance upon Barry to tell Scott the 'truth' about Doug and Scott at last obedience towards them to help his dad wishes come true by dancing the federation ways.
When Barry persuading Scott to compliance.
Dance is a symbolic of actual relationship when one dancing and the other reacting it is responding towards each other and not uniformity. When the director pick ballroom as the setting is an act of relieve of catharsis, oxymoron is the irony, there is no freedom of expressions in ballroom but Scott is the one with strong individualism and passion in his expression in dancing. But Scott shown his self-centered and his LEVEL as qualified good dancer that shouldn't partner with Fran that just a beginner. On the other hand Fran is the one that taught Scott regarding the perseverance and hard work in dancing their steps in Pan Pacific. Fran is the first one that agreed his steps and wanna dance his steps at the Pan Pacific.
Fran is the one with strength and brave enough to change, wakes up call for Scott on what is heart and hard.
I personally admired Fran personality and how she appeared in persuading Scott despite is it hard, even the movie is trying to portray the physical appearance that's not determining one qualification and talent but we can clearly see Fran in the movie is obviously getting good looking every time she practice with Scott. Physical appearance does matters in this movie as to prove your skills, outer change symbolize inner change despite there is not much. Subtle change by director to fool the audience.
If really the 'old' Fran's physical appearance remains till the end do you think Scott will still dance with her or even fall in love with her?
Dance should be a creative platform to express art cannot have restriction because is an expression of arts. Especially when Fran's grandmother asking Scott to listen to the rhythm when learning Paso Doble. Listening to rhythm = listen to heart, not artificial following, feeling the rhythm with heart, symbolic to life as to rhythm (music, life, journey).
The scene where i remembered the most where social influence play a big role is where Scott and Fran being asked to leave the ballroom but luckily in the midst Doug is clapping the rhythm and the key point is others must conform to the clapping so that they could get the recognition and continue dancing their steps. It could be the crowd really supporting both of them or just plainly conforming since others are clapping too. If you don't clap while others do means you are different one now.
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