Footloose

Footloose is one of those fortunate films that despite being entirely uninspired, for whatever reason become huge popular successes and etch themselves into the cultural consciousness. The reasons in this case are largely that the 1980s was the most aesthetically-impaired decade of the 20th century and the played cannily to MTV, which was just starting up and which duly made a hit of the title song, The clip in which it features pretty much sums up everything that was regarded as cool in 1984. The film made a staggering $80m in theatrical sales in the US alone and vaulted Kevin Bacon into pop idol and eventually, cult status

In what is effectively Rebel Without A Cause Lite set to instantly forgettable music Bacon stars as Ren MacCormack, a teenager from Chicago who finds himself stuck in the small town of Bomont, somewhere in the Midwest which is populated by God-fearin’ folks and where dancing is actually illegal (the story was based on the real life fact). Ren, of course, takes it upon himself to show them that kids just want to have fun. To do this he must face off Bible-thumpin' Reverend Shaw Moore (John Lithgow) whose spunky daughter (Lori Singer) Ren fancies but to prove she's a bad girl she’s going out with the local good-lookin' tough guy. She. of course, responds to Ren sensitively troubled sensibility.

From the opening credits with the title song playing over shots of dancin' feet things are daggy as only the '80s could be. If that was your generation you will probably look on this film with a greater or lesser degree of affection but in every respect it is unremarkable, from the schlock-rock songs, none of which are actually sung by the characters, such as the title track provided by Kenny Loggins and “Let's Hear It For The Boy” which was a hit for Deneice Williams (the film had six Top 40 hits), to the choreography, which is largely aerobics to Ross’s journeyman direction.

Bacon gives an energetic performance as Ren, particularly in the song 'Never' and Lithgow, one of his career-best performances as the Reverend, but Lori Singer (who looks remarkably like Darryl Hannah) never had it so good again, her only other memorable role being in Altman’s Short Cuts (1993). The film also features early roles for Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Penn.

FYI: Footloose was the third in a group of stylistically similar '80s teen musicals, being preceded by Fame (1980) and Flashdance (1983). For some reason the film was remade in 2011 apparently to no greater effect and a much smaller box office.

 

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