Common Sense Media Review
By Common Sense Media
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Hip-shaking guilty pleasure has mature themes, racy scenes.
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Why Age 13+?
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Dirty Dancing
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 26 parent reviews
Based on 59 kid reviews
Kids say that this movie is a beloved classic, particularly noted for its engaging soundtrack and strong performances, especially by the lead actors, but it does contain mature themes including sexual content and implications of abortion. Reviewers recommend it primarily for older tweens and teens, suggesting that while it can serve as an entertaining introduction to complex topics, parental guidance is advised due to some explicit scenes and suggestive dancing.
- classic film
- strong performances
- mature themes
- parental guidance
- recommended for teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In DIRTY DANCING, Frances "Baby" Houseman (Jennifer Grey) and her family spend their 1963 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 that fellow staffers throw after work. To supplement their meager earnings, Johnny and his friend/dance partner, Penny (Cynthia Rhodes), do a mambo show at a neighboring hotel. But then Penny gets pregnant, and the only time she can arrange an abortion is the night of a big mambo show. The naive Baby steps in, determined to help, asking her father (Jerry Orbach) for money to help Penny, no questions asked, before desperately trying to learn the mambo in time. Romance takes off on the dance floor, accompanied by a great 1960s soundtrack. Johnny is drawn to Baby's fierce optimism and Baby is drawn to -- well, he's Patrick Swayze! What will happen when they're found out?
Is It Any Good?
Unabashedly schmaltzy, this movie is also a lot of fun. Grey is touching as the shy and idealistic Baby, whose sexuality is awakened by the charismatic Swayze in Dirty Dancing. 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. Johnny gets some of the worst dialogue, 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. (A cute touch: Many of the soundtrack tunes have "baby" somewhere in the title.)
As the two become drawn to each other, the dancing becomes more seductive, culminating in the liberating energy of the final scene. All of that said, Dirty Dancing's content may well be more mature than many adults remember; be sure to talk to kids about Penny's situation, and why things are so dire for her.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Dirty Dancing's sexual themes. How is sex treated here? What are the different aspects it takes? What are your own values regarding sex and relationships?
As a teenager, what would you do if you were pressured to have sex?
How do you feel about the conflict between Baby and her father? Is one right and the other wrong, or is it more complex than that? Does their relationship feel realistic?
How do the characters demonstrate compassion, courage, curiosity, and integrity? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 1, 1987
- On DVD or streaming : February 7, 2017
- Cast : Jennifer Grey , Jerry Orbach , Patrick Swayze
- Director : Emile Ardolino
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Vestron Pictures
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along ) , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Curiosity , Integrity
- Run time : 101 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mature themes and sexuality
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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