Lesson 2- Strictly Ballroom

"Strictly Ballroom" (1992) is an Australian comedy/drama production. It tells the story of Scott Hastings, a boy from a family of ballroom dancers who is a star dancer himself. Good and as capable of winning the Pan-pacific Grand Prix as he is, he refuses to follow the conventional way of ballroom dancing, much to the horror of his mother and instructors.

The story is mainly centered around Scott's attempt to win the Pan-pacific Grand Prix Dancing Championship. It portrays his encounters and conflicts along the way, namely having to deal with his dictator mother, Shirley Hastings, and instructors, a dysfunctional relationship with his former partner Liz, and eventually a much more enriching one with an initially unassuming yet later on gutsy and determined Spanish gypsy girl, Fran, who teaches him to dance from the heart.

Overall, I thought the film was very fresh, probably due to the fact it was the first Australian movie I had ever seen from beginning to end. Fresh in the sense that the conversations, the things they said and the acting was very different from an American production, which I am more accustomed to. Emotions were intense and the actors really played out the parts straight from the heart.

I have to commend the actors who played "demanding" characters. 

They were REALLY demanding. 

Kudos to the actors =)

  

Above: Liz Holt, Scott Hasting's former dance partner 

who is mean to Fran and wants to win the Pan-pacific Grand Prix,
therefore, she repeatedly pleads Scott to dance according 

to the requirements of the federation.

Above: Barry Fife, the demanding and conniving 

President of the Australian Dancing Federation.

Above: Shirley Hastings, Scott's mother who wants to dictate 

her son's every decision in his dancing career, 

all for the sake of him winning the Pan-pacific Grand Prix. 

Having said that, I felt that many parts were slightly messy. As a member of the audience, many scenes caused me much cognitive overload (which left me with a headache), in the sense that there was a lot of shouting and screaming (due to the demanding nature of the characters), many flashing of colours (ballroom dancer's costumes, make up, lights) and a whole lot of music.

Also, I found it interesting, how Fran, a girl who appears as an unattractive, clumsy beginner, can...

from this, 

become this...

And do  all this....

    

in the span of 2 weeks !!! 

MIRACULOUS, no? 

However, if we look at this miracle the way Dr. Goh mentioned in class, it would be a portrayal of the transformation of Fran through the eyes of Scott, which, so far is the only explanation I deem rational for the rapid transformation =)

Above: Scott's parents, Doug and Shirley Hastings

Also, I disliked how Scott's father, Doug Hastings was treated throughout the show. He was always portrayed as the inconsequential nobody, a joke, the unimportant weirdo who belonged in the background. However, at the end, it turns out he plays an important character - the one who finally tells Scott the underlying truth of the whole movie. 

All in all, it was a very interesting movie. They chose to reflect human personality and behaviour using the element of dance, an art, an expression, and the element of competition, an instance where one's true nature would show forth
. A highlighted psychological concept was that of social influence- the power of obedience, compliance and conformity.

The take home message of the show? Of course the quote by Fran, 

"Vivir con miedo, es como vivir a medias!"

 - A life lived in fear is a life half lived!

For more info: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1045568-strictly_ballroom/
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dtfxf3FFx4

Lesson 1- Awakening

NOT to be confused with the 2011 horror movie, "Awakening" (1990) showcases how an encephilitis epidemic caused its victims to be catatonic, and subsequently, how an/a aspiring doctor/scientist comes along and finds a drug that could potentially help these patients. However, in the end, the drug only allowed them brief periods of "awakenings".

One of the unique things about this show is that it is based on a true story by Oliver Sacks. While the story-line is engaging and there were very miraculous moments throughout, what struck me the most though, is that this show depicted various different kinds of love, but in a way that I only realized much after watching it.

Firstly, the love of a mother for her child

Above: Mrs. Lowe, mother of Leonard Lowe

Mrs. Lowe was a true depiction of the unwavering love of a mother for her child. For over 30 years, Leonard was in a catatonic state. Mrs. Lowe never gave up on him. Throughout the story we see her keep on keeping on, always by Leonard's side, never giving up on her handicapped child.

Secondly, a friendship love

Above: [Right] Leonard Lowe finds a friend in [Left] Doctor Sayer

Robin Williams is well known for playing the roles of the underdog, the person who is most frowned upon
Even in this movie, as Dr. Sayer, since the beginning of the show, the doctors who were hiring him gave him queer looks and doubted him. When Dr. Sayer found the unique capability of patients to catch objects thrown at them, the doctors also scorned his discovery. Nevertheless, he did not give up on the patients. Instead, he spent time in the hospital going through their case files and tried to help make them better. Even when the patients showed side effect symptoms, he still stuck by them. In my opinion, he exhibited what someone in the helping profession should - genuine care and love for their patients.

And last but not least, of course, the element of romantic love

  

Left: Dr. Sayer and Nurse Eleanor

Right: Leonard Lowe and Paula

An essential part of any show to keep the audience "glued" in anticipation, romantic love. What I liked about these little romantic moments was that it was not (too) cheesy and typical. For example, I believe the contributing factor to the blossomed relationship between Doctor Sayer and Eleanor (all clever planning and scheming aside) was that she (for the sake of the show) genuinely trusted and supported Doctor Sayer when everyone else doubted him.

As for Leonard and Paula, you could see how hard he was trying to be somewhat normal around her, unfortunately when the side effects of the drug kicked in, it was entirely impossible. However, it was wonderful that she showed agape love to him by just being there, even through the times of his suffering.

Another thing I really enjoyed about this show was the bitter-sweet taste it left for the viewers upon its conclusion. I liked that it did not end with the patients all being well and 100% normal. It was an apt depiction of reality. Sometimes we hope for the best but things do not quite turn out the way it is "supposed" to. Sometimes we put so much into something and in the end, outcomes are surprisingly different. Sometimes, we just have to face it and let it take its course. It's life.

For more info: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099077/
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0sbgJbPgM4