20 Greatest Dance Scenes In Movie History
9. Scott And Fran's Paso Doble - Strictly Ballroom (1992)
The director debut of Baz Luhrmann and the first of the red curtain trilogy, Strictly Ballroom laid down the groundwork of Luhrmann’s director trademarks – to set a story in a heightened creative world, to be based on a recognizable story shape and to make sure that the audience knows what they are watching is not real.
Whilst Strictly Ballroom is not quite the same level of glitter and vivacity as Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet, it does have some noticeable Baz tropes that we’ve come to known, from the eccentric ensemble of characters to the beautifully detailed ballroom costumes. The film knows how to play with silly cliches and embrace them too.
Ballroom dancer Scott has just been ditched by his dance partner Liz and takes on a new one with the “ugly duckling” Fran. The two rehearse together for the Australian Pan-Pacific Grand Prix and prepare a Paso Doble for the competition. The final performance is dramatic, passionate and exhilarating. Even when Fife sabotages the couple by having their music disconnected, the audience are won over by their dancing and clap out a beat to enable to them to continue their routine.