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[wordsrmylife]

This past Sunday I was under the weather slightly, so I did what people like me do in these situations--I curled up with a good book. In my case, it was Terry Pratchett's Snuff, the latest entry in the Nightwatch group of Discworld novels, featuring Sam Vimes.

Comments

[robinellen]

I love Strictly Ballroom! I can practically quote the entire movie. You have some great insights here -- though I would disagree with one (hehe): I don't think Fran suddenly becomes beautiful without her glasses. She's very much the epitome of anti-beauty, even without them. (And it irritates me every time at that point in the movie -- when Paul says, "It might help" if she doesn't wear them -- grrr.) She doesn't wear all the makeup and she doesn't have the perfect figure. To me, she always showed how the heart is what makes someone attractive or not (especially when Paul's other partner, the blonde, is so showy and 'perfect' in looks but not at all in heart). But yeah, other than that, I completely agree (and love the dramatic ending: "We've lived our lives in FEAR!").

[wordsrmylife]

My biggest beef is the way Fran is portrayed at the beginning--bad complexion, big baggy t-shirt. And then Paul's mother tells her about something for her complexion and she starts wearing more form-fitting tops. It's the same process as "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," and as far as I'm concerned it still puts way too much emphasis on an external transformation. Fran is beautiful in her own way, and as much as I love this movie, I would love it even more if she had started out wearing the skirt and leotard she wears later on, and if they hadn't so obviously put on blotchy makeup to make her less attractive.

But I agree with you completely, Fran (and her father and grandmother) make the point that the heart is what's important, whether it's beauty or the dance.