As I've written here before, I'm no fan of "Moulin Rouge," although I know the film has its rabid followers. But an earlier picture by Baz Luhrmann, just released on DVD, demonstrates a similar sensibility and quick-cut style, yet is toned down enough that the story and characterizations are not lost in the process.
"Strictly Ballroom" (1992, Miramax, rated PG) is an Australian dance-comedy-soap opera rooted in caricature, broad humor and an off-kilter, wildly colorful, exaggerated world of its own. In fact, it has so many similarities to "Moulin Rouge" all that's missing is the star power of Nicole Kidman.
And while "Ballroom" moves fast and has the same MTV-style editing sensibility, at least there are some cuts that last longer than 5 seconds.
That alone allows the audience to invest something in the characters.
The story crosses "42nd Street" with "The Ugly Duckling" and is set in the rigid world of Australian ballroom-dancing competition.
Paul Mercurio plays the heir-apparent to the championship title whose family and friends become outraged when he strays from traditional ballroom steps to create his own choreography.
To further complicate matters, he takes on a plain-Jane newcomer (Tara Morice), and he eventually learns some surprising things about dancing from her Latino father.
"Strictly Ballroom" is joyous, funny, bright, witty, has a well-cast troupe of performers and is loaded with terrific dancing.
It's everything "Moulin Rouge" could have been if it had just taken a breath.
Among other new DVDs to recently cross my desk:
— Joe Versus the Volcano (1990, Warner, PG) was pretty much vilified by critics on its initial release, but I gave it a favorable review 12 years ago. So I was happily surprised that I still enjoyed this story of a down-in-the-mouth white-collar worker who learns he's dying and agrees to throw himself into a volcano as a sacrifice. OK, this isn't the pre-Oscar Tom Hanks' best film, but it's quirky fun and has some great gags (especially about luggage). And Meg Ryan (in her first of three teamings with Hanks) plays three very different sisters and does some of her best, most charming work.
— "Diana Ross Live — The Lady Sings . . . Jazz & Blues: Stolen Moments" (2002, New Line), which may be in competition for the longest DVD title ever, was recorded live in 1992 in a New York nightclub. This is Ross performing songs of Billie Holiday, whom she played (receiving a best-actress Oscar nomination) in the 1972 film "Lady Sings the Blues." Purists and jazz enthusiasts may complain that Diana is no Billie (wouldn't it be nice to have a DVD collection of old black-and-white Billie Holiday performances?), and her emotional delivery certainly isn't as deep, but she pours her heart into each song, and the intimate venue helps. A must for Ross fans — and Lady Day fans may enjoy it too. (A same-titled CD with five fewer songs is also available.)
— "Iron Monkey" (1993, Miramax, PG-13), a revamped martial-arts flick that has been re-edited and shortened . . . dumbed-down, if you will . . . for American audiences, is a Hong Kong variation on "Zorro." (which was an Americanized variation on "Robin Hood"). But the literal kicker here is a bevy of eye-popping fight scenes. This is what fans call "wire-fu," with lots of flying and floating in the long-standing tradition of martial-arts action pictures. (Mainstream U.S. audiences were introduced to the style in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.") The actors are quite charming, the action is fast-paced and even in this abbreviated form, it's worth watching. (And if they desire, purists can still get the original version on an import DVD.)
— "Life as a House" (2001, New Line, R) boasts a terrific lead performance from Kevin Kline as a father trying to reconcile with his teenage son, and a large supporting cast of familiar faces, but despite aspirations of greatness, this is low-rent "American Beauty." (And, frankly, I wasn't crazy about "American Beauty.") Kline plays a divorced, neglectful father who is caught up in the cycle of treating his son as he was treated by his father. When he discovers that he doesn't have long to live, Kline tries to break the cycle, taking his son for the summer to build a house as a final act of contrition. But his son is a sullen, drugged-out, multi-pierced, blue-haired rebel, and it won't be an easy road. There are several distasteful subplots that distract and annoy (including divorced neighbor Mary Steenburgen bedding her daughter's boyfriend), and the main story isn't fresh or smart enough to overcome them.
— "High Heels and Low Lifes" (2001, Touchstone, R) is one of those movies that opened in L.A. and New York for a few weeks, and very few other American cities, which makes it, more or less a straight-to-video offering. Minnie Driver and her best friend Mary McCormack overhear a phone conversation during a London bank robbery and plot to rob the robbers, in a Robin Hood gesture, of course. The performances are bold and the cast is game, but the script is overly familiar, as are many of the gags. A few funny moments, but not enough.
E-MAIL: hicks@desnews.com