Dirty Dancing

Movie review by Common Sense Media, Common Sense Media
Dirty Dancing Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

Hip-shaking guilty pleasure has mature themes, dancing.

PG-13 1987 101 minutes
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Parents say

age 14+

Based on 27 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 60 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Dirty Dancing is a 1960s-set forbidden romance starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze. It's a guilty pleasure for many 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. Language includes "s--t," "ass," "goddamn."

Community Reviews

Talchinsky
Talchinsky Adult
July 27, 2021
age 13+

Uncomfortable for me; OK for my Kid

We are a blended family with two 12-year old boys (both 12 going onto 13). I am personally uncomfortable showing them this movie because of some of the themes discussed by other parents (prostitution, abortion, sexy dancing) BUT I'M GOING TO SHOW IT TO THEM because... We just busted one of our 12-year olds looking at inappropriate images of girls in bikinis online (he couldn't get to the naked ones due to porn blockers) so he's obviously getting interested in sexy subjects. I would like to show him movies that show intimacy and love so that those are his first ideas about sex. I think this movie is cheezy but it shows themes of love, family, understanding, communication, emotions and growth. There are lessons to be learned. We can use the show to discuss why they shouldn't have unprotected sex when they are older. I also like that the protaganist isn't the prettiest girl in the room and doesn't have the biggest breasts yet there is love and connection and intimacy (a contrast to most sexual images found online). I want them to know that boobs and "being hot" are not requirements for intimacy, love, and happiness and lots of different things can make a person sexy (including being a good dancer!) This was my little sister's favorite movie when it first came out back in the 80s. She was 10 when she first saw it and she always loved it. I asked her if she had any thoughts in hindsight and she had no regrets at seeing it at such a young age. And finally, when I was young my mother watched edgy movies with me, because they prompted questions and conversations and I think it was good for me. I would not play this for my son and his friends on a "play date" and walk away. This is something we will watch as a family and only as a family. If his friends want to see it they'll have to talk to their parents about it!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
2 people found this helpful.
rig87
rig87 Adult
June 28, 2020
age 10+

A classic, but mature vibes at times

Excellent coming of age and self realization piece for a tween/teen. Mature situations and concepts: sex and pressure to have it, abortion. But effectively demonstrates class-based discrimination and the importance of self-confidence and individuality.
See all 27 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In DIRTY DANCING, 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 that his friends throw after work. To supplement their meager earnings, Johnny and his partner, Penny (Cynthia Rhodes), do a mambo show at a neighboring hotel. But then Penny gets pregnant by one of the hotel waiters, and the only time she can get an abortion is the night of a big mambo show. The naïve 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 '60s soundtrack (a cute touch: many of the tunes have "baby" somewhere in the title). 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 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. 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.

As the two become more drawn to each other, the dancing becomes more seductive, culminating in the liberating energy of the final scene. Dirty Dancing's content may well be more mature than many parents remember; be sure to talk to kids about Penny's situation, and why things were so dire for her during the movie's '60s setting.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Dirty Dancing's sexual themes. How is sex treated? What are the different aspects it takes? Parents, talk to your kids about 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?

Movie Details

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