Footloose

Footloose, Song, and Music – Streaming Adrenalin and Entertainment
Footloose, PG-13,***1/2, Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid, Vindie MacDowell, John Flueger, Miles Teller. Paramount film. Director Craig Brewer. Length 113 minutes.

As the song Mr. Bojangles by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band says, “He danced and talked of Life.” The connection between the song and the movie is metaphoric. “Footloose” is a remake of the 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer. It has been updated for today’s teenagers. “Footloose” takes place in a small rural town in the south.
After a dance at the local high school, a horrible accident happens, and the local town bands dancing for teenagers. The town council makes it illegal to have a dance in the city limits. They also pass a curfew for the young people.
Most people have tried their hand at dancing along the way. I spent time on the floor at U. T. Martin University. The dances were held on the weekend at The Wagon Wheel in the University Student Center.
Jack Nicholson’s line in the movie “Goin’ South” popped into my mind while viewing this movie. In “Goin’ South, his wife was not dancing or having a good time, and he said to her, “Get out there and act foolish.”
From moving to the music to making a train link with everyone and strolling around the dance floor, dancing gets the blood moving and endorphins flowing.
Ren (Kenny Wormaid) shows up in the small southern town and moves in with his uncle and their family. Ren is from Massachusetts and the norms of the south are quiet a shock to him. He is a great athlete, and an individual who knows how to work. He has had some hard times in his past, but he is a compassionate and smart young boy. Reverend Moore (Denis Quaid) the local preacher and a member of the town council, preaches hell fire and brimstone along with suppressing the young people’s social life. This does not set well with Ren or Moore’s daughter Ariel (Julianne Hough). Of course, everyone tends to scrutinize preacher’s children a little more than others. They seem to be expected to walk the straight and narrow at all times, so they are under the microscope.
Ariel is dating a real jerk Chuck (Patrick John Flueger). At a cotton gin outside of town, Chuck notices Ariel and Ren dancing and giving each other the ole “I’m interested” looks. Chuck is not happy with this.
Forcing suppression on people will result in some kind of revolt. Of course, the leader of the revolt is Ren. He does not understand the over the top constraint, so he quotes some unusual verses at the City Council meeting while making a comparison.
Ren is having a few problems in school. Some of the teachers did not take time to learn more about Ren’s past. One to One connection with students does a lot to help their self esteem. It is sad the situations many students face at home or their background history.
The more teachers know and understand students, the more chances of success in school and in life. Be a teacher who knows their inner feelings and what makes them tick. I have to make a comparison of playing poker. If anyone has ever played poker, it is obvious everyone is not dealt the same hand. Every hand is not a winner. Teachers should help students discard the bad and try to find the good. Also, to do the best with what they have and continue to work, learn, and improve. Viewing this movie will explain the short sermon above.
Ren makes friends with Willard (Miles Teller). He is shy and does not know how to dance. Ren teaches him how to dance. As a result Ren created a dancing fool in Willard. He definitely becomes a hot shot dancer by the final scenes of the movie.
I wanted some payback for one character in the movie. It appeared it was not going to happen. The viewer will be the same way because of an earlier incident in the movie. Just be patient, disappointment will turn to fulfillment.
The song Footloose plays at the beginning and end of the movie. The viewer may have to hold on to the theater seat in order to keep from getting up on the floor and acting foolish!