Big Screen Peter: Footloose

review by Peter Lewis

Footloose holds a special place in many hearts. The 1984 movie, starring Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer, was a smash hit, leaving an indelible mark on American society. Remaking such a landmark film would be a tough task for any filmmaker.

But Craig Brewer, armed with a couple of no-name beauties to replace Bacon and Singer, seemed up for the task.

Brewer broke onto the scene in 2005 with his own smash hit, “Hustle & Flow.” The movie told the story of a disenfranchised male, striving against the odds to achieve a sense of self-determination. Terrence Howard’s performance in the lead was imbued with believable, raw emotion. Something sorely absent from this story of a disenfranchisement. Though Kenny Wormald brings unparalleled precision to his numerous dancing sequences as the lead Ren McCormack, he lacks any semblance of the emotion necessary to win over audiences.

Though “Footloose” is packed with plenty of verve, that lack of believable emotion plagues the remake throughout. Where the original felt fresh, earnest and engaged with the spirit of youthfulness, Brewer’s rendition seems mechanical. It’s an odd mix of dispassionate energy.

Most of the actors seem to be going through the motions. Dennis Quaid as the Reverend Shaw Moore is lacking. His performance, though at times encompassing levels of true empathy, never reaches much in the way of rhetorical passion. There is no level of high, emotive vitriol. He doesn’t seem hell-bent to keep the “kids” safe from evil. Instead, he often seems broken. A parent unable to get past the loss of a son.

Contrasting that subdued spirit is Julianna Hough as his daughter. Though an accomplished dancer, she brings little beyond sultriness to her role.

These shortcomings are characteristic of the film. The audience is peppered with ghastly dialogue and short-sold performances.

The would be savior is Miles Teller as the affable Willard Hewitt. His role — the slightly sheltered southern yokel — is carried off with impeccable ease. Unlike his co-stars, Teller’s youthful energy is believable and winning. But his role is one of a co-star. So while his lighthearted performance is a nice counterpoint to the otherwise dispassionate performances, it’s not enough to buoy the film.

Brewer’s depiction of Hewitt does, however, highlight the deep understanding Brewer has for rural, particularly southern, America. Set in fictional Bomont, Ga., the reality of place is, despite a few embellishments, quite believable. And in this respect, the movie is far superior to the original.

Unfortunately, between the representation of rural America and the performance of Teller, Footloose offers little else to moviegoers. It’s certainly a regression from the campy, spellbinding magic of 1984.

• Footloose is playing at the Carmike 14 and the Malco Cinema 16 in Fort Smith, and the Malco Van Buren Cinema. Link here for time and ticket info.

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