When “Dirty Dancing” was added to the Netflix library, I took the opportunity to check it off my movie list, as I had not yet seen it. Widely recognized as a classic ‘80s movie, I believe “Dirty Dancing” still deserves its acclaim.
Set in the 1960s, “Dirty Dancing” encapsulates the era. Main character Frances “Baby” Houseman (Jennifer Grey) is hungry for justice. She is determined to work in the Peace Corps and, according to her father, is destined to change the world. While on vacation, Baby’s older sister Lisa (Jane Brucker) goes out with resort workers while Baby stays behind, creating a perfect setup for Baby’s attitude to change.
The film’s plot hinges on Baby’s emerging self-confidence. Her fearless energy is depicted when she follows staff member Billy (Neal Jones) to a secret dancing club. Upon arriving at the club, it becomes obvious Baby is foreign to the party’s rowdy atmosphere. She’s especially awkward around Johnny (Patrick Swayze), whose dancing skills catch her eye.
I love this scene. The way the people dance is provocative and dynamic, so different from the stifled culture of the resort. Songs like “Do You Love Me?” by The Contours call back to an iconic era of R&B, capturing the cultural zeitgeist of the ‘60s. Baby eventually adjusts to this new environment despite it being a step out of her comfort zone.
It’s an intimate scene, not just because of how they dance but because it reveals Baby’s inner turmoil. Either she stays true to her dignity or she follows her natural instinct to have fun. Baby’s newfound inclination toward adventure encourages viewers like myself to get a little messy and come out of our shells.
Baby’s character develops most when she discovers Johnny’s dance partner, Penny (Cynthia Rhodes), needs an abortion. Baby steps in as Johnny’s dance partner so Penny can go through with the operation.
By taking on this role, Baby is forced to cast aside her reserved self and embody the confident persona of a dancer. Typically, loosening up has been hard for Baby, but when her relationship with Johnny becomes romantic, Baby becomes more comfortable with taking risks.
Every time I saw Johnny and Baby dance, it mesmerized me. It seemed they were always in their own world, a testament to how passion can effortlessly carry you to new heights, which is just what “Dirty Dancing” did for me in its hour and 40-minute run.
Between the uplifting messages and iconic character dynamics, “Dirty Dancing” is everything I want in a movie. Baby’s character growth is inspirational; she advocates for herself, is determined and makes me believe in the power of growth. She doesn’t change the world, but she does change a small corner of it because, like Johnny said, nobody puts Baby in a corner.
Published and digitized November 2025.
