"Footloose" 1984

“Footloose”

Ren: You like Men At Work?
Willard: what men?
Ren: Men at work.
Willard: well where do they work?
Ren: No, they're a music group.
Willard: well what do they call themselves?
Ren: Oh no! What about the Police?
Willard: What about 'em?
Ren: You ever heard them?
Willard: No, but I seen them.
Ren: Where, in concert?
Willard: No, behind you.

The original. Kevin Bacon is Ren McCormack, not some punk kid that was probably born in the nineties! Sure Lori Singer is too skinny but Sarah Jessica Parker is cute and Chris Penn is delightfully goofy.

It has the distinction of being one of the only movies to include dancing that my husband will watch without complaint. We have the same favorite scene. Kevin Bacon has had a hard time and goes to the warehouse where he works. He is angry, so very angry. He is so incredibly angry that he just has to DANCE! First he smokes angry and drinks angry and finally after some angry gymnastics, he has to DANCE!

It is awesome.

Lori Singer is a little abrasive as Ariel, the preacher’s daughter who wants to get out her small town. She overacts like crazy. Any scene is she’s in she is practically jumping up and down screaming “look at me!!” Sarah Jessica Parker is forgettable as the best friend who’s main function seems to be reminding Lori’s character that she is rebellious. She also gets Ren to come eat lunch with them, thereby getting him accepted at school.

Chris Penn as Willard is sweet and goofy. The look on his face during the scene where Ren is telling stories of the hot women and dance clubs is priceless. And there has never been a better montage of one man teaching the other to dance in any movie.

I love John Lithgow and Dianne Wiest as the tragic parents that just want to keep their rebellious daughter safe. After a whole movie of letting the preacher have his way, her confrontation in the church is delivered with such quiet dignity, it is transcendent. Then the two stand in each others arms watching the dance from a field. She reminds him of the love they felt for each other when they were young and he sees the girl he loved and still loves.

But it is Kevin Bacon who sells this movie. He fights. He dances. He falls in love.

So, let’s hear it for the boy!