 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Dirty Dancing
- Review Date: March 7, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Romance
- 1987
Common Sense Media says
A hip-shaking guilty pleasure.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this 1960s-set forbidden romance is a guilty pleasure, due to several campy scenes, flashy dance sequences, and appealing performances by its main characters. Although some parents may find the dancing a little too dirty, teenage viewers will be captivated by the flashy fantasy of star-crossed summer romance. Sexual references abound here beyond the dance moves: one character has a botched abortion, the main character loses her virginity, and another talks about her plans to go all the way. An older married woman propositions younger men on staff at the resort and sleeps with one.
What's the story?
Frances "Baby" Houseman (Jennifer Grey) and her family spend their summer vacation at a Catskills resort where Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) works. Baby runs into this handsome dance instructor from the wrong side of the tracks at a forbidden, wild "dirty dance" party his friends throw after work. To supplement their meager earnings, Johnny and his partner Penny do a mambo show at a neighboring hotel. When Penny gets pregnant by one of the hotel waiters, she finds out the only time she can get an abortion is the night of a big show. The naïve Baby steps in determined to help, asking her father for abortion money and no questions asked before desperately trying to learn the mambo in time. Romance takes off, as it should, on the dance floor with a great '60s soundtrack (a cute touch: many of the tunes have "baby" somewhere in the title). Johnny's drawn to Baby's fierce optimism and Baby is drawn to -- well, he's Patrick Swayze! They're found out, of course, and come back together for one last dance.
Is it any good?
Unabashedly schmaltzy, DIRTY DANCING is also a lot of fun. Jennifer Grey is touching as the shy and idealistic Baby, whose sexuality is awakened by Patrick Swayze's energy. Both are exceptionally well cast, and their skillful and convincing performances bolster some of the story's weaker elements, like the many stock characters and predictable events.
Swayze is given some of the worst dialogue here, and it's remarkable that he's able to make the immortal line "Nobody puts Baby in a corner" sound almost natural. Teens will get past such corny dialogue because of the dance sequences which effectively mirror Baby and Johnny's emotions. As the two become more drawn to each other, the dancing becomes more seductive, culminating in the liberating energy of the final scene.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the film's sexual themes.
How does each family member feel about teenage sex?
As a teenager, what would you do if you were pressured to have sex?
What do you feel about the conflict between Baby and her father?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
AMAZING!
Really good movie! other than some brief language and very sexual dancing, this movie is good for 12 and up
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Good Tween and Teen Movie
I love this movie. A great storyline with great actors.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
No one puts Dirty Dancing in the corner
This movie is SO amazing I can't even express it! I think the reason why it did so well was because it was modern, it meets up with our dancing now. Watch a music video and you'll see the dancing is barely any different. This movies 'sexual situations' are ridiculous. Sure, they dance suggestively, sure the characters have sex but it's a movie. We've seen worse on TV now and days. They don't show anything, younger kids don't understand the references and it's not like we're going to run into the street and yell out 'let's all dance like they did in dirty dancing!' C'mon, give kids some credit. We can handle sexy dancing and sexual gestures.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
loved it i miss patrick swayze rip patrick we will miss u!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Moronic plot, disgusting lack of moral qualms, paying for the murder of an unborn being glorified, vulgar dancing, statutory rape of main character.. barffff
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
GREAT MOVIE FOR GIRLS OF ANY AGE!!!
I LOVE WATCHING IT W/ MY GRANDMA,AND MOM SINCE ITZ KINDA A CHICK FLICK I HAVE SEEN THIS MOVIE SO MANY TIMES!!!
EVEN THOUGH BABY MAKES SOME BAD CHOICES SHE LEARNS FROM THEM,AND THATS THE IMPORTANT MORAL OF THIS MOVIE.REMEMBER: THERE IS SOME MATURE DIALOUGE IN THIS FILM MEANING SO,U MIGHT WANT TO SEE THIS ONE W/ YOUR KIDS IF THE AREN'T 13 OR OVER
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Don't forget what the movie is really all about.
The whole movie revolves around the killing of an innocent baby. One of the characters gets pregnant and at no time during the movie does anyone even consider having the baby. The only reason Baby and Johnny begin dancing together is because of this "need" for the abortion. Later in the movie a romance develops between Baby, a child and Johnny, an adult. This is commonly referred to in real life as statutory rape. But if you can ignore these two areas you will probably really enjoy the movie.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
This movie has some glitches, but its a great classic! I have watched it like 5 times in the past week! The dancing is incredible and different which also makes it so interesting to watch, but remember, the dancing is dirty! I think anyone over 12 can see this! This is a very incredible movie with a little bit of humor, mixed with drama and spiced with a little bit of the 60's! One of the best movies ever! AMAZING ENDING, TOO! I miss you, Patrick Swayze!!!!!!!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
I love this movie! well for one i love Patrick Swayze! he was great!
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Vestron Pictures |
| Director: | Emile Ardolino |
| Cast: | Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach, Patrick Swayze |
| Genre: | Romance |
| Run time: | 101 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 1, 1987 |
| DVD release date: | January 15, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | mature themes and sexuality. |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
