http://youtu.be/KN2tw9Bs9uA
For Mother’s Day I watched the original Footloose movie with my husband and my three boys. This scene has always been one of my favorites from the movie. And here are the rest of the boys who get a shout out from me…
*My husband for encouraging my boys to dance. He tells my boys that it’s cool to be a good dancer and feel comfortable on the dance floor. I love him for that.
*My three boys for dancing with abandon and not caring what anyone else might think about them. They dance because it makes them feel good.
*Ren (Kevin Bacon) because he knows that there are things worth fighting for and he treats people, particularly women with respect, which is something I teach my boys all day, every day. And his hair. And for making dancing cool.
*Willard (Chris Penn) because all it takes is one person to reach out and be your friend–to make a difference. And because he is persistent about learning to dance. Hard things take time, but they are usually worth the effort. And because he’s got the moves.
*Reverend Shaw Moore (John Lithgow) because it’s never too late to admit that you might have made a mistake and then its never to late to make a change–especially for the people you love.
*Writer-Dean Pitchford for creating a screen play that shows the dangers of banning books and limiting minds. He illustrates how alike we are within our differences. He wrote with layers and nuance…
Ariel: [to her father, the town preacher] I just don’t know that I believe in everything you believe in. But I believe in you.
Reverend Shaw Moore: I’m standing up here before you today… with a very troubled heart. You see, my friends…I’ve always insisted on… taking responsibility for your lives. But, I’m really… like a first-time parent… who makes mistakes… and tries to learn from them. And like that parent… I find myself at that moment when I have to decide. Do I hold on… or do I trust you to yourselves? Let go and hope that you’ve understood… at least some of my lessons. If we don’t start trusting our children… how will they ever become trustworthy?
Ren: [addressing the town council, reading from his notes in the Bible] “From the oldest of times, people danced for a number of reasons. They danced in prayer… or so that their crops would be plentiful… or so their hunt would be good. And they danced to stay physically fit… and show their community spirit. And they danced to celebrate.” And that is the dancing we’re talking about. Aren’t we told in Psalm 149 “Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song. Let them praise His name in the dance”? And it was King David – King David, who we read about in Samuel – and what did David do? What did David do?
[paging frantically through Bible]
Ren: What *did* David do?
[audience laughs]
Ren: “David danced before the Lord with all his might… leaping and dancing before the Lord.”
[smacks table in front of Reverend Moore]
Ren: *Leaping* and *dancing*.
[stands up straight]
Ren: Ecclesiastes assures us… that there is a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to laugh… and a time to weep. A time to mourn… and there is a time to dance. And there was a time for this law, but not anymore. See, this is our time to dance. It is our way of celebrating life. It’s the way it was in the beginning. It’s the way it’s always been. It’s the way it should be now.
*And to Kenny Loggins for writing some of the best songs on the soundtrack…I know all of them by heart. They make me want to dance. Let’s hear it for the boys!
Now we have to decide the next great movie to see with the kids. What family friendly, but extremely awesome movie do you recommend? What blast from the past has stuck with you over the years?
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Can you believe I’ve never seen this movie? (I know! How could I have missed it?) Well, you can bet I’m going to watch now. Because I love that scene. And this post. 🙂
LOL! My work is done here!!!!! Let me know what you think!!!!
I love “Footloose!” Agree entirely with everything that you wrote here: love the music, the dancing, and the message!
That’s because we’re kindred souls!!!! <3