Director: Herbert Ross
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer and John Lithgow
‘A Magnificent Musical Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved the appreciation of Kevin Bacon. Following his rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Bacon has made unforgettable movies. Whether it’s bold police officers, smart lawyers or toe-tapping dancers, the actor has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Bacon’s finest strength as an actor has always been his commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has often poured his heart and soul into each and every role. Bacon has never been afraid taking risks in his career playing complex characters which aren’t likeable. An actor with a powerful commitment to his craft, Bacon has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Through his abilities to portray compelling characters that audiences can relate to, Bacon has proven to be an actor of great value. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Bacon has never lost his passion for making engaging entertainment. Throughout his enduring career, Bacon has appeared in many memorable movies which are definitely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Bacon and admire all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Footloose” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 1984, Herbert Ross’ film has stood the test of time as a magnificent musical masterpiece. Packed with powerful production design, engaging storytelling and timeless acting, it’s one of the best musicals ever made. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance by Kevin Bacon, who portrays a rebellious teenager that has love for dancing. Ultimately, what makes “Footloose” a music masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies made in the 1980’s which are often outdated, it tackles universal themes which everyone would relate to. It delivers a strong message about teen rebellion which would resonate with everyone. A melodious musical masterpiece, there are many strong reasons why “Footloose” is a movie which is worth seeing.
Set in 1980’s America, “Footloose” tells the story of a rebellious teenager that seeks to break the rules of a town where dancing is forbidden. Kevin Bacon portrays Ren, a high-spirited teenager with a love for music. Ren has always cherished dancing as an activity that has shaped his identity. However, Ren’s forever changes when he moves to a town in America where dancing is forbidden causing disaster. Unable to accept the sad fact that he can’t engage in dancing, Ren strives to rebel against a city that’s restricting. Assisted by his girlfriend Ariel (Lori Singer), Ren is determined to change a town where dancing is restricted. Ren’s decision to become a rebel puts him on a collision course with Reverand Shaw Moore (John Lithgow). As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Ren begins to wonder if it’s possible for him to become a dancer. Facing a sad dilemma, Ren starts to question whether he will ever be able to find sense of belonging in America.
Herbert Ross has always been fascinated with the lives of rebellious teenagers. Before he had made “Footloose”, Ross was known for making memorable films about the lives of teens. With “Footloose”, however, he created his first ever musical. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of rebellious teenagers which seek to be famous dancers, but he succeeded tremendously. Using stunning cinematography, Ross captures the lives of rebellious teenagers with a love for dancing. Ross effectively uses montages to capture a teenager seeking to be a dancer in a doomed city. For instance, music montages enhance the tractor race scene. In this memorable scene, Ren engages in a tense tractor race with his peers causing tragedies. Through montages, Ross creates a compelling character audiences can relate to. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. John Hughes’ “The Breakfast Club” suggested that montages elevate commemorated coming of age films about high school. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Ross captures the frightening hardships that rebellious teens are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Footloose” that merits appreciation is the musical sequences. For a movie made in the 1980’s, it has aged beautifully. Ross’ decision to use live singing and dancing is risky but works tremendously. Unlike most movies which often employ stunt doubles, Ross had the actors dance for real in the film. It’s a decision that paid off immensely giving actors chance to showcase their talent for dancing. For instance, dance choreography elevates the solo dancing scene. During this unforgettable scene, Ren breaks down into a song and dance number expressing frustration with his town’s unjust system. One appreciates dance choreography capturing the hardships rebellious teenagers are facing. Live dancing is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” proved, live dancing enhances musical masterpieces about L.A. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is superb. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the painful burden rebellious teenagers bear. Through phenomenal production design, Ross captures the lives of rebellious teenagers that decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Footloose” is a musical that is captivating. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses sequences of silence to capture tension faced by teens in adolescence. For instance, silence elevates the Reverend scene. During this unforgettable scene, Ren and his friends face an awkward moment of silence when they are caught dancing by the Reverend causing tensions. Through sequences of silence, Ross creates compelling teenage characters which audiences can easily relate to. Silence is often a tricky technique to use in movies. As Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” demonstrated, silence elevates shining movies about isolation. Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” did prove that silence elevates classic films about prison redemption. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Ross captures the lives of teenagers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Kevin Bacon delivers one of his finest career performances as Ren. In his first ever leading role that launched his career, Bacon proved flair for playing teenagers carrying a burden to bear. It’s a challenging role thar required the actor to perform physically demanding dance, but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most famous role. With “Footloose”, Bacon showcased flair for playing troubled teenagers that shaped his career. Using captivating expressions, Bacon captures the angst, grief and resentments of a rebellious teenager seeking to pursue passion for dancing in a city which is restricting. It’s an extraordinary performance by one of the most celebrated actors working in the film industry today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Bacon, the supporting cast is also fantastic and merits recognition. Lori Singer is brilliant, capturing the conflicted emotions of a teenage girl that seeks to rebel against her strict father. John Lithgow is fantastic, bringing humanity to a strict reverend that struggles to take care of teens in a town endures tragedy. Lastly, Chris Penn merits appreciation. As a teenager with a love for dancing, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “Footloose” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the frightening tensions faced by teenagers cutting loose. Unlike most films made during the 1980’s which often tend to be outdated, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It discusses universal themes of identity, mental health and teenage rebellion which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of dancing to enjoy it. It delivers a strong message about value of finding one’s identity that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Footloose” is one of those rare commemorated films about dancing which everyone will adore.
Fans of Kevin Bacon will definitely appreciate “Footloose” and so will movie-goers seeking heartwarming entertainment. A mesmerizing musical masterpiece, it honours an actor that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about rebellious teenagers with a love for music breaking rules in a city where dancing is upsetting, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a tremendous fan following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in captivating movies which are definitely without a single doubt absolutely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 