Dirty Dancing

Spending the summer at a Catskills resort with her family, Frances “Baby” Houseman falls in love with the camp’s dance instructor, Johnny Castle.

Why it stayed with me

Behind the romantic cliche, I like the way the film shows dignity being restored by someone who sees more than social status. Johnny is not saved by charm alone, but by being treated as worthy.

Key points

• Love can raise standards when it is not naive.
• Confidence often comes from being seen correctly.
• The best moments are about respect, not just dance.

Film details

• Director: Emile Ardolino
• Year: 1987
• Genres: Drama, Music, Romance
• Runtime: 100 min
• Personal rating: 9/10
• IMDb: tt0092890

Cast notes

Main cast: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach.