FOOTLOOSE (1984)

cast: Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, Chris Penn rating: ****

A minor classic that pulls you into the tale of Kevin Bacon's Ren, a big city kid new in a small town who butts heads with teachers, cops, bullies, and especially the stern yet earnest preacher played by John Lithgow. And along with the rest of the cast including Lori Singer as his rebellious daughter, Dianne Wiest as his faithful wife, and Chris Penn as Bacon's hick pal (who learns how to dance in a glorious montage) makes for an entertaining gem where there's something delightful and addictive in every scene.

And what a miracle that a movie, with dancing as the premise, can relate to just about everyone... if you let it. Because even the most ludicrous aspect... a law prohibiting teens to dance in a small town by a Christian preacher... isn't used to make the antagonist seem loony, nor does it make our heroes seem like victims.

Each character is so genuine you'll forget the premise and start to feel you live in this little part of Americana during the 1980s, which FOOTLOOSE is a wonderful time capsule of. And while Kevin Bacon's dancing skills aren't technically great, he has enough power and spirit to let the audience take part in the emancipation of isolated teens, who didn't know what they were missing.

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