The film is set in the year of 1963, John F Kennedy was still president and the Vietnam War was not considered a threat, the Beatles had yet not reached America and the Freedom riders were on. In reality the well known and loved, cult girly film, and 'classic' romance was made in 1987. There have been many attempts throughout the film to represent the time in which it was set and yet there are clear indications that the film is of a more modern make. Essentially the film could be classed as both a dancing film and a romance in its genre. It aims to demythologise the myth of the American dream by portraying fundamental rifts within societies thinking. The idea of a relationship occurring between the workers (working class) and upper classes is not a new subject, yet it is obvious that many issues raised within the film, show a deep argument about moral ideas posed by sex.

The film opens with a stirring sound track with the montage of suggestive images in black and white gyrating across the screen. The viewer from the opening scenes maybe has an idea why the film is called dirty dancing. Right from the beginning it is clear that the majorit

David Stafford-Clark, What Freud Really Said. England, Penguin Books Ltd.

sion Baby is instructed to "feel the music" by Johnny during the training for a dance. This seems the first time that she is in touch with herself and not being protected. Baby's transition from being an awkward dancer to being a fluid and confidant dancer show in her movements and represents the transition from childhood to adulthood. Johnny then refers to her as 'Frances' as opposed to Baby. Right at the end of the film he kisses her. This is totally in contrast with previous scenes where the action is only hinted at in the fading-out of a tableau.

www.members.aol.com/dkrider214/9erriccarmen

Trowler, Paul. Investigating Mass Media. Unwin Hyman Limited, CollinsEducational. 1996

s is clearly descriptive of the Freudian theory of the Electra complex. Freud describes how in order to move onto to another man the subject must first reject the 'dominant hierarchal father' . This is exactly what happens in the film. Frequently other characters intercept the character of Baby. In a particular scene there is an instance where when Penny shouts, "on the next turn you will meet the man of your dreams." Baby turns and reaches for her father and is intercepted by another person.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1347
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)