The classic film poster for “Dirty Dancing” is displayed as the movie celebrates the 35th anniversary of its release this year. While the movie’s superb acting and soundtrack made it famous, revisiting it now will make viewers look past its simple romance. “The reason to give ‘Dirty Dancing’ another watch lies in the movie’s depiction of the 1960s, which feels eerily similar to life today,” Sports Editor Wyatt Meyer writes. Photo fair use of Amazon.com
Even though it’s been 35 years since “Dirty Dancing” was released, the film has never been a more relevant watch due to its insight into societal standards from the 1960s to now.
Most people know the 1987 movie “Dirty Dancing” as a listless romantic comedy that provides little impact beyond the advice not to put Baby in a corner. However, those revisiting the film nowadays will likely come away with a more serious view of the seemingly innocuous classic.
Set in 1963, the movie follows Frances “Baby” Houseman (Jennifer Grey) as she and her family take a vacation to the fictional Kellerman’s resort. There, Baby meets the charismatic dance instructor Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) and the pair embark on a whirlwind romance.
While “Dirty Dancing” originally won plaudits for its soundtrack and steamy dancing scenes, those alone don’t separate the film from countless other rom-coms amidst its hasty and predictable plot.
Instead, the reason to give “Dirty Dancing” another watch lies in the movie’s depiction of the 1960s, which feels eerily similar to life today.
Director Emile Ardolino renders the era as archaic with subtle brushstrokes, such as the family’s deference to Baby’s father, Jake Houseman (Jerry Orbach), and antiquated ideas regarding gender roles in the character’s relationships.
Additionally, the subplot of dance instructor Penny Johnson’s struggle to get an abortion is especially relevant in light of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which ruled that the Constitution doesn’t protect the right to an abortion.
As the film is set before the right to an abortion was initially protected in Roe v. Wade, viewers will find similarities between Penny’s plight and those of countless women in today’s world, making it all the more poignant.
Penny’s story is the best example of how the dichotomy between the norms and values in 1963, 1987 and 2022 makes rewatching on platforms such as Amazon Prime or Apple TV fascinating.
In fact, it’s arguably never been more essential to reflect on the movie’s commentary at a time when it feels as though people haven’t made much progress since “Dirty Dancing” was set.
In fact, it’s arguably never been more essential to reflect on the movie’s commentary at a time when it feels as though people haven’t made much progress since “Dirty Dancing” was set.
For some, “Dirty Dancing” will never stop being a forgettable movie that never goes deeper than the on-screen romance. But for others revisiting the movie, it will pose an alarming question about 1963 and 2022: how different are they?
