Strictly Ballroom Character Analysis

Critical Essay: Strictly Ballroom “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.” Baron Acton (1834 – 1902). Baz Luhrmann’s bizarre romantic comedy, “Strictly Ballroom”, is based on the idea suggested above, “absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Barry Fife, played by Bill Hunter, could be seen and described as a dictator who rules the world, the world of ballroom dancing. He is the villain in the plot, the main antagonist. Baz Luhrmann conveys this idea of absolute corruption through images and camera techniques, such as low angled and close up shots. Baz Luhrmann also portrays the idea of power being a dangerous possession through Scott Hastings, played by Paul Mercurio as the main protagonist,
His power and dominance of the ballroom is highlighted through extremely close-up and low angled camera shots. Extreme close up shots to his mouth also suggests his influence in the world of ballroom dancing. At one scene, Barry Fife denies the idea of new steps with an absolute statement, “There are no new steps”. The camera zooms into his mouth and a newspaper spins out of it. This imagery suggests that Barry Fife is so influential that his words were immediately published into the media as soon as they were said. Influence is also portrayed by his product, his video, titled “Dance to Win”. The title of this video implies that the only way to win is to dance as Barry Fife says. His influence and control is also portrayed in the surroundings of his office in the beginning of the film, where he states, “Well of course, you can dance any steps you like! But that doesn’t mean you’ll... ...win.” This statement shows Barry Fife’s influence over the world of ballroom dancing, showing that he has the power to decide who wins. In this scene, a map of the world could also be seen, further showing his influence over the world of ballroom
His moves were seen as outrageous, “crowd pleasing” steps, of which the judges did not approve. Scott lost the competition, and at about 7 minutes into the film, Scott is seen locking eyes with Barry Fife. The camera zooms into his face, showing defiance and determination. Barry however, raises his chin, making it clear that he is in power, that he has the power to select the winner. When alone in Kendall’s dance studio, the Blue Danube Waltz, a traditional dance music, was played. This contrasts against Scott’s improvised steps and shows a barrier in which he is confined, to the traditional dance steps. When Scott stamps his foot, the music stops, suggesting that Scott has broken away from the barrier, a free man, in control of his own life and is able to dance as he