“Footloose” (1984) starring Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, Dianne Wiest, John Lithgow, Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Penn / Z-View

Footloose (1984)

Director: Herbert Ross

Screenplay:  Dean Pitchford

Stars:  Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, Dianne Wiest, John Lithgow, Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Penn.

Tagline: He’s a big-city kid in a small town. They said he’d never win. He knew he had to.

The Plot…

Ren and his mother moved from Chicago to the small town of Bomont, Utah.  It’s a huge change for Ren, a high school senior, but he’s trying to adapt.  Ren has made a few friends. Willard, a real country boy, is his closest buddy.  Ariel, a girl Ren’s attracted to, likes him as well.  Unfortunately, Ren has made a few enemies. Reverand Moore, Ariel’s father, sees Ren as a bad influence.  Ariel’s older ex-boyfriend, Chuck Cranston is looking for a chance to get a couple of friends and beat-up Ren.

When Ren learns there is a city ordinance that bans dancing, he makes it his mission to get an exception for the Senior Prom.  This only makes Reverand Moore dislike him more (no pun intended).

Ren’s not a quiter.  The odds are against him.  But like Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse, the kid’s gotta dance.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Footloose was nominated for two 1985 Academy Awards…

• Nominee for Best Music, Original Song – Kenny Loggins (music) & Dean Pitchford (lyrics) for the song “Footloose”
• Nominee for Best Music, Original Song – Tom Snow & Dean Pitchford for the song “Let’s Hear It for the Boy”

In the opening credits over 150 different pairs of dancing feet were shot.  Most were cast and crew.  Kenny Loggins wore the gold shoes.

While it is true that Chris Penn was not a good dancer (one of the reasons that led to the scenes of Kevin Bacon teaching him how to move), Kevin Bacon also had five different doubles for all of his dance scenes. One of Bacon’s dance doubles was Peter Tramm who was at the time married to Marine Jahan. Jahan was the uncredited dance double for Jennifer Beals in Flashdance.

Dianne Wiest and John Lithgow played Lori Singer’s parents.  Wiest is just 9 years older than Singer.  Lithgow just twelve.

Frances Lee McCain played Ren’s mother.  She is only twelve years older than Kevin Bacon.

Footloose is a fun little movie full of cliches, dancing and music.  If you go with it, you should have a fun time.

Footloose (1984) rates 3 of 5 stars.