While when most of us originally saw the movie when it came out in 1987, the majority of us were 14 years old and like myself included had worn out the movie which was on VHS during that time period had fallen head of heels in love or lust for that sexy main character, "Johnny." While the majority of us, who's mothers had allowed us to watch the movie and probably watched it as well, assumed it was nothing more than a mushie love story with an excess amount of dance scenes with the ultimate dance scene at the end. Little did she really think about it, especially in the 1980's that the movie would inclued such issue's stemming from socio-economic class, rape/date-rape, abortion, and as many sex scenes as there were.
As, we watched it recently in class and had to actually look for different points throughtout the film, while I still enjoyed the film as I had so many years prior but realized so many things popped out at me now as an adult.
What really stuck out for me was that the movie's setting was the early 1960's and actually 1963 to be correct. However, it seemed that while there were approaching subjects more dealt with in the 1980's, they dealt with them in the movie as if they were dealing with these issues on an everyday basis. These subjects were not small and innocent ones either and back in the 60's issues of this sort were not usually spoke about so casually like they were done in the movie. From very apparent socio-economic class difference that are not only talked about but you really see the differences between the two throughout the movie. There was even a casual conversation at a staff meeting about what you can and cannot do with or to the guests, A husband casually paying someone to more or less enjoy his wife ( a clear sign of prostitution), A more prominent topic casually describing someone who thinks he is of better class but in the end, Penny is pregnant and because of her present situation as a dancer which pays her bills, so that she can afford to live and survive, doesn't include being able to be pregnant and she opts for an abortion. Which was never called that in the movie but referred to very clearly. That same guy, who thinks he is so much better and of higher standards and class, attempts to Rape another woman. In my opinion someone like that, if in real life would be loser with absolutely no social class.
One of the things we had talked about in our Women's class was about abortion and when it came the 1960's, Abortion was very illegal and if you check out http://www.projectvoice.org. You will find some stories from older women that talk about when they had to make the choice to have an abortion and what had to be done to have that happen. There aren't too many stories of older women but none the less all the women's stories are important and they decided to post them for people to understand what they were going through and what happens after, their feelings and emotions. Which in the movie doesn't talk about what Penny goes through emotional wise but she does open up to Baby before and tell her that she is scared, and she has the right to be.
One of the things we had talked about in our Women's class was about abortion and when it came the 1960's, Abortion was very illegal and if you check out http://www.projectvoice.org. You will find some stories from older women that talk about when they had to make the choice to have an abortion and what had to be done to have that happen. There aren't too many stories of older women but none the less all the women's stories are important and they decided to post them for people to understand what they were going through and what happens after, their feelings and emotions. Which in the movie doesn't talk about what Penny goes through emotional wise but she does open up to Baby before and tell her that she is scared, and she has the right to be.
In this film, Baby's father on several attempts also tries to assert his authority or Patriarchal values or views if you will in the case of who Baby, "His daughter plans to be" to impress people, when he has to come to the rescue of Penny's botched abortion and in telling or yelling at Baby for lieing and telling her she can't hang around "Those People." Also, at the the end of the film when he confronts johnny about knowing he wasn't the one to get Penny into trouble.
However, I think Baby is the big start in this film, besides for the fact like I said earlier the setting of the film was in 1963 and that Baby stood up for what she believed in being, borrowing the money in the beginning of the movie, Seducing Johnny, or even going behind her fathers back of all things. The fact that Baby never thought of herself as someone better than Johnny or Penny or even any of the dancers and that she just lets Johnny go basically as fast as he had come into her life shows that she is not a selfish person. It shows a lot for her character and I think that is why Johnny calls her "Frances" at the End of the movie.
http://www.projectvoice.org
http://www.projectvoice.org
I agree. When you first watch this movie, it's all about the love. Love this and love that. No one really thinks about the bigger issue in this movie, like the prostitution or the abortion. It's because the movie is promoting the love and the dancing of this movie. Putting these big issues into this movie where the love and dancing is the main thing, makes these big issues small issues. The small issues in the movie then are helped to set up the lives of the characters in the movies. Your analysis is lengthy but very detailed and well written. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Pa, like I said before and I agree with you, while the big issue were the love and dancing rather makes what we think or know about abortion and prostution on the back burner kinda. Makes those issue smaller, like you said and that sad but then again its Hollywood and the purpose of the movie really wasn't those issue it was the Love and the Dancing. Thanks for your comments.
DeleteI believe the movie was introducing the issue of abortion to teenagers because it was starting to become a big issue at the time due to the civil rights movement. I don't believe the movie was trying to over shadow that issue, but wanted to get teenagers and parents thinking about the issue. Abortion was such a sensitive issue and a quite matter for those who choose abortion as the answer, this movie got people talking. The movie brought abortion into the spotlight. When teenagers are exploring young love and sexuality, the movie gets teens thinking about the consequences of their actions. Ultimately, the movie covers many issues and gets people talking about them, openly.
ReplyDeleteHello Jennifer, I guess I have to play the devils advocate and disagree with you on the idea that the movie was introducing teenagers and parents to the idea. While I could be wrong (and have been known many of times to be, ha-ha) but I really think the idea of the movie was basically about a girl who comes from the right side of the tracks and meets and bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks in which they fall in love. Not that what your saying isn't completely right but if you really think about it the movie's setting was in 1963 and it was a whole 10 years until roe v wade and legal abortion and in real life it was 14 year later that the movie actually came out. So I don't think that was the actual idea even with the civil rights movement since the rights movement ended in 1968 and the movie's setting seemed free of any issue's with civil rights. Thanks for the ideas though, like I said I could be wrong too!!
DeleteYes I agree the film's portrayal of the film is almost spot on with it's portrayal of the early 60's. In some ways the film could be portraying the death of the long 50's. Yet at the time it portrays 80's cultural concern as well, not many films have done that as well as this film has.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Jennifer. There were many movements going on during the sixties, which was a time of many movements. The Civil Rights Movement, Women's Movement, Gay Rights Movement, etc. Dirty Dancing proved that during a time when drugs and alcohol were in full bloom, there were greater issues that led to issues like abortion. For many women, a lack of equal pay compared to men was critical; especially when unexpected pregnancy is involved. Penny, from Dirty Dancing, thought she was loved. Once she was pregnant, the man left her. This left Penny responsible to provide for herself and her baby by herself and a job that could hardly afford her own life. For Penny, abortion was nearly a choice to live for herself.
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