When news of the Dirty Dancing remake broke, fans of romantic movies were excited to see the love story between Baby and Johnny again in a new form. But when the film actually premiered, it didn't quite hit the right beat. Dirty Dancing (2017), a remake of the 1987 classic starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, has been criticized for lacking charm and emotional intensity, despite its faithful period recreation.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The story takes place in the summer of 1963 at Kellerman's resort in the Catskill Mountains. Frances 'Baby' Houseman (Abigail Breslin), a 17-year-old girl from an upper-middle-class family, vacations there with her family. She meets Johnny Castle (Colt Prattes), a sexy young dancer from the working class, which turns her world upside down. Baby is drawn into a passionate and forbidden world of dance, amidst the strict rules of the resort and class conflicts. She must choose between the safety of her old world and a love that challenges all boundaries.
Acting and Characters
Abigail Breslin plays Baby adorably and charmingly, but lacks the brightness and energy that Jennifer Grey had. She conveys innocence well, but her transformation into a confident young woman is not powerful enough. Colt Prattes as Johnny Castle has excellent dance moves and a suitable physique, but his acting is still stiff, lacking the intensity and seductive charm of Patrick Swayze. Sarah Hyland as Lisa, Baby's older sister, adds good color, but unfortunately her role is reduced. Supporting actors like Nicole Scherzinger (Penny) and J. Quinton Johnson (Marco) perform well but are not outstanding enough.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
Director Wayne Blair does a competent job by the book but lacks a clear vision. The film uses beautiful period-accurate visuals and lighting, but the dance scenes are not as thrilling as they should be. Famous scenes like the dance rehearsal and the final performance lack power and excitement. Music, though it brings back classic songs from the original like "(I've Had) The Time of My Life," the new arrangements don't evoke the same emotion. There are also new songs added, but none are catchy or memorable.
Editorial Analysis
As an editorial team, we see Dirty Dancing (2017) as an unnecessary remake. Apart from introducing the story to a new generation, the film fails to improve or add new dimensions to the original. A major weakness is the chemistry between the lead actors, which lacks heat and emotional connection. The film meticulously recreates the period but forgets to build the heart of the story, making it feel like a lifeless copy. However, for those who haven't seen the original, the film still has a touching theme of cross-class love and self-discovery. But for die-hard fans, this film may be just a pale shadow of a greater legend.
Verdict
Dirty Dancing (2017) is a remake that misses the crucial beat. Despite its faithful period recreation, it lacks the charm and chemistry of the lead actors. Suitable for those wanting a lighter version or die-hard fans for comparison, but if you want the best version, the 1987 original remains the superior choice.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Beautiful period costumes and sets
- +Lead actors have good dance skills
- +Classic soundtrack still sounds good
👎 Cons
- −Lack of chemistry between leads
- −Lacks charm and power of the original
- −Pacing is flat, not engaging
Top Cast
FAQ
The 2017 remake has the same main plot but shortens the script and adds new songs, while the lead actors have different acting styles. Overall, it lacks the charm of the original.
Yes, it includes key dance scenes like the rehearsal and final performance, but they are restaged to be more modern, lacking the excitement and heat of the original.
If you are a fan of romantic movies and haven't seen the original, you might enjoy it. But if you love the 1987 version, you may be disappointed. We recommend watching the original instead.
