Dirty Dancing and early '60s American Mores

Rating: 10/10 (28 November 2007)

I grew up in the era depicted in the film. I was about a year younger than the 17 of the character 'Baby'. My working-class family definitely moved in the same circles as the busboy 'Billy' and the dance instructor 'Johnny Castle'. The world of the Catskills resorts was not even within my awareness at the time.
I must say that I did not see the film in its era of release. It is only somewhat by accident that I picked up the VHS tape on a flea market table with the thought that not much was lost if the film failed to hold my interest. What a revelation!! I have never gone in for dance films before, but I have changed my tune!
I was mesmerized by Jennifer Grey from the instant the opening credits gave way to the actual narrative. She was so innocent and compelling in the character of 'Baby', I was stunned to learn she was actually 27 when the film was made!
Two main points stick with me about the film:
1. The rich, professional Jewish clientèle of 'Kellermans' considered themselves the social betters of the mixture of the white working-class, Latinos, and Blacks that staffed the lower rungs of the employee pecking order. Here were the descendants of penniless Jewish immigrants from two or three generations back now lording it over less prosperous young people with a generally longer history in this country.
2. The character 'Baby' was able to rise above this attitude and relate to the lives of the little people in a huge way. She was willing to jeopardize her whole future by providing an alibi for 'Johnny' when he was accused of theft.
What man could fail to fall for a woman of such character combined with surpassing grace and beauty? No doubt there would be a rocky road ahead for the two lovers from such diverse backgrounds and values. But with their great love, their union would survive and prosper.
Sadly, in reality Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey had major difficulty working together. It never came across in the film, but that is probably why no reuniting sequel was ever made.
I have watched this film about 50 times in two weeks and always catch some new detail I missed or misunderstood in previous viewings. Definitely, the best film I have ever watched!