In this tale, Baby encounters Johnny, the resort’s charming dance instructor. Their casual dancing sessions lead to a budding romance, a classic cinematic trope. However, the drama unfolds when Johnny’s planned dance partner for the resort’s competition has to withdraw due to a personal issue. Stepping into the spotlight, Baby, armed with moves learned from Johnny, takes her place. Amidst other plot twists, such as Johnny’s dismissal from the resort, the film’s climax occurs during the talent show. Johnny surprises everyone by appearing, and he and Baby deliver a captivating dance to ” (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” culminating in a romantic and joyous conclusion. The scene’s passionate context makes it a compelling choice for reenactment by the group.
While some critics, like Roger Ebert, criticized the film, others praised it as a refreshing approach to dance and romance. In her 1987 New Yorker review, Pauline Kael commended the film’s sensual portrayal of the songs, describing “Dirty Dancing” as a whimsical and retro perspective on growing up.
One crucial aspect Kael touched upon was the music. “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” not only earned the Academy Award for Best Original Song but also secured a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.
The relatively unknown lead singer of Franke and the Knockouts, Frank Previte, co-wrote the song for the “Dirty Dancing” soundtrack in the late 1980s. In a 2020 interview with American Songwriter, Previte shared that the film’s music supervisor, Jimmy Ienner, unexpectedly asked him to compose a 7-minute-long song for the movie. Initially hesitant, Previte had a revelation while driving down the Garden State Parkway, leading to the creation of the iconic track
