Scott Hastings can dance--a little too well for his partner, his family, and the judges. Can he win the championship without being "strictly ballroom"?

This one is a gem. It marks not only Mercurio's stunning debut as an actor, but the opening shot from a man who has become one of my personal favorite directors, Baz Luhrmann.

True, the plot isn't exactly twisty, and it's easy to figure out what is going to happen--but it's done in an artful way. Luhrmann's style can be camp and cabaret without losing a sense of drama. His touch with his cast brings out the very best in each of them. Barry Otto's performance as Doug Hastings is particularly delightful.

I laughed and clapped for the characters--it's easy to be drawn in by this straightforward tale of triumph and romance. Fair warning: you may want to take dancing lessons after watching. Strictly Ballroom is not to be missed.