Kevin Makin' Bacon

Rating: 8/10 (18 February 2019)

Kevin Bacon is known for two roles; the initiation scene in Animal House (thank you sir may I have another?)...and this film.
He's actually been better in more critically acclaimed films but he'll never shake this one.
As for Footloose, the plot, characters and storyline are questionable and contrived but there's a certain attraction to it all. The best dynamic is actually between Reverend Moore and his wife, two people who are conflicted within themselves as well as with each other...that's about the only real life in this film.
You have to wonder how Moore has the compassion and wisdom to go against book burning but not dancing, something that is way less potentially harmful to the kids. Plus he seemed to not question Ariel about her seeing Chuck, a violent and mean redneck, but forbade her to associate with Ren.
The best part was the final dance scene, precluded by a fight where Ren suddenly develops martial arts skills in addition to a hayseed kid all dressed up but sneaking a nose pick in like he's on a John Deere in the field.
I guess the this film has everything; Religion, breaking laws, hypocrisy, protagonists, antagonists, meaningful sidelong glances, contrived situations and a nose pick. Not bad.