Guess what was on TV last night??? Only one of the most awesome movies of the 80’s and there were a lot of them. “Footloose” starring Kevin Bacon. You know the one where Ren (Kevin Bacon) moves to a small town from Chicago where he was in some kind of trouble…drugs. But don’t say anything. And the town is all strict and doesn’t allow any kind of nonsense especially dancing or Reverend Shaw Moore will condemn your very soul to Satan. He has this crazy-ass daughter named Ariel. Not the mermaid, although they do have a lot in common. Like difficulties getting along with their fathers, wanting to get out of their small towns or oceans, red boots, red hair, no legs, skinny legs. That reminds of the scene where Ariel and Chuck have a fight because he has finally figured out that she likes Ren. It took him a long time, because Chuck is, well, dumb. Rusty, one of Ariel’s friends, (played by Sarah Jessica Parker-now we know where Carrie Bradshaw lived before she moved to NYC) said “Chuck never did have all his dogs barking.” Hee, hee. That’s pretty dumb. Anyway, they are fighting and Chuck says “I guess you’ll wrap those skinny legs around anyone.” Great line, but it hurt me almost as much as it hurt Ariel. I cannot tell you how many times jealous, angry ex-boyfriends have said that exact same thing to me. I’m okay. So then Chuck gets all mean and nasty and hits her, but man she doesn’t give up. She gets up and goes all Carrie Underwood on his truck.
Okay, anyway, if you have not seen this movie in awhile, you should really watch it. It is still a good movie with some great songs. Of course Footloose by Kenny Loggins, Holding Out forA Hero by Bonnie Tyler, Dancing in the Sheets by Shalamar, The Girl Gets Around by none other than Slammy Hagar. Remember that song is on when Ariel (played by Lori Singer-whatever happened to that skinny chick? Anyone know? Get back to me on that one) is straddling the two trucks heading down the highway almost hitting an oncoming diesel. Let me tell you this is not as easy as it seems. I mean first you have to like round up two really good drivers, stretch and get limber, psych yourself up and last but certainly not least, smoke like a ton of crack.
I must discuss the fashions in this show. Pretty bad. What is up with all the high water, high-waisted jeans. Did we really dress like that? Yikes. But nobody rocks high-waisted, tight, acid washed Lee jeans like the Bacon. Speaking of the Bacon, did anyone remember that he had quite a bulge? Especially in that scene where he is dancing at the mill, I mean his sausage was smoking. Get it sausage-bacon-get it? It’s a wiener reference.
Let’s Hear It for the Boys is another really good song. It is playing when Ren is trying to teach Willard (Chris Penn, rest in peace) to dance. The boots on the bleachers scene is totally awesome. I am going to throw in a Terry J. reference even though some people will argue with me about the similarities between Kevin Bacon and Terry J., but I still see it. However, Willard reminds me of Troy B. (If you didn’t go to high school with me, then you probably don’t know Terry J. and Troy B. so consider yourselves lucky and bear with me one this one.) So, in my mind, (which is a scary place) I keep picturing Terry J. trying to teach Troy B. to dance. In my dreams. Okay, so anyway, I think the Reverend has more to worry about than some dance. Is it just me or did anyone notice that Ren and Willard were getting a little to close during those dance lessons?? Probably just me. But there is a scene where they are skipping and dancing and doing somersaults in a field of wildflowers. Says love to me.
Okay, so here is my favorite scene. Let me break it down for you:
They actually get to have a prom. I think it was because Ren was all up in the Rev’s face quoting scriptures at the Town Hall meeting and proved that God does in fact approve of dancing.
Almost Paradise is playing at the prom at the flour mill and no one is dancing and the camera is panning the crowd and I almost cried to see all those sweet, innocent, country kids just sitting in the their fine prom wear too scared to dance and I am feeling all sentimental for my prom and remembering what a great dancer I was and then, dude in the blue tux is picking his nose. I mean not just a subtle little flick the boogie away, but digging like nobody’s business. Yuck, I am so over this.
If it was up to me those dumb, non-dancing, fashion-challenged, nose-pickin’ country kids would never have a prom, a dance, a square dance, a mixer, a barn raisin’, a cow milkin’, nothin’. I mean the blue tux is bad enough, but picking the snoz at the prom. How disgusting.
I almost forgot about the final fight scene when Willard and Rusty show up and Willard promises not to fight (he is a Penn), but Chuck (Ariel’s ex) shows up too. Chuck and his goons start punching Willard. Then Ren shows up and Chuck says something like “Here he is… Mr. Dance Fever.” Chuck is so dumb. Kevin Bacon is not Mr. Dance Fever that was, uh, like Danny Terrio. Rusty (sjp) was right. Chuck doesn’t have all his dogs barking or cats meowing or cows mooing or ducks quacking. I think you get my point.
Then Ren and Willard proceed to kick ass. Then they go in to the prom and …you guessed it… they dance. Nothing says I just kicked some ass like a snappy kick ball change. Okay, so now all the country kids are dancing, everyone is happy, that’s the end, yippee.
All in all, this is a good movie. I have to admit that I did get up and dance a little. And you know what? I still got it.
Oh, I forgot to mention. Did you know this movie was based on actual events that occurred in Elmore City, Oklahoma? Oklahoma Rocks!!!
Here’s a clip just in case you need a visual reminder of this awesome movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHomxiO-TEI
80's movie reviews with a twist 