I was sitting
in my hospital bed when my physician shared the
bad news that the infection we had been battling
for months was winning and there was no longer a
choice. He would need to amputate my left foot
from approximately mid-calf.
Needless to say, I was distraught. While I had
grown up with spina bifida, and was quite
accustomed to disability I still was not
emotionally or physically prepared for the
actual loss of a limb. It would mean a change in
my mobility most likely, from crutches to a
wheelchair. After a lifetime of adjustments, the
loss of a limb was going to be my most
challenging adjustment yet.
I spent the next few hours meditating, praying,
listening to music, talking to friends and
working my way through the sadness, rage and
despair that I was feeling. When my physician
returned later that night to explain the
procedure in greater detail, he asked me if I
had any questions. I responded "No questions,
but one request." I handed him a small cassette
player with a cassette already in it. I said
"Play this as I'm drifting off to sleep. It will
keep me calm." You could tell this request
caught him by surprise, but he almost
immediately agreed.
Early the next morning, I was carted off to the
operating room, placed upon the table and hooked
up to the IV that would carry the anesthetic.
The anesthesiologist, nurses and, finally, the
physician did their introductions and I said
"You have the tape?" He replied that he'd
forgotten all about it, didn't check it out to
see if it was okay...then, after a moment, he
returned with the cassette player and pushed
play. The familiar intro to the Kenny Loggins'
hit "Footloose" filled the room, everyone heard
the first few lines and I heard laughter as I
began to drift off to sleep. Mission
accomplished.
The 1984 film "Footloose" has played an integral
part in my life, and despite its inherent and
numerous flaws it is a film I will always
cherish for its heart, spirit, music and
well-timed presence in my life.
The story is a familiar one in cinema. It
revolves around Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon), the
new kid in a small Midwestern high school who is
a bit too radical in this conservative town
where dancing is outlawed and a local minister
(John Lithgow) whose daughter was killed in an
auto accident several years earlier enforces the
law with an iron will.
Everything about the story is stereotypical,
from the minister's "bad girl" daughter (Lori
Singer) to the ever understanding wife (Dianne
Wiest) to Ren's goofy best friend (Christopher
Penn).
This year, however, there's a fire burning in
the heart of the senior class and led by Ren
they become determined to overturn the "No
dancing" law and hold their Senior Prom.
"Footloose" was recently brought back to life as
a Broadway musical, and it is the music that
truly brings this film to life. With numerous
hits, including the aforementioned title song,
Deniece Williams' "Let's Hear It For The Boy,"
Mike Reno/Ann Wilson's "Almost Paradise" and
Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out for a Hero" leading
the way. The music, while practically the
definition of bubblegum pop, is infection, fun
and memorable. Of course, in a movie such as
this one the scenes often play out as something
closer to music videos including the hilariously
campy closing dance scenes.
The direction by Herbert Ross is methodical,
predictable but constantly energetic and lively.
Dean Pitchford's script follows the same line.
If I were following only my critical mind, I'm
fairly sure "Footloose" would not be a "B+"
film. Quite honestly, I'm not. I'm following my
heart on this one, and acknowledging the
important role that "Footloose" played, and
continues to play in my life. At a time in my
life when I needed hope, laughter, inspiration
and fun I found "Footloose" and even though I am
now "Footless" I will always be grateful for the
way this film has positively impacted my life.
©
Written by Richard Propes
TC Candler's Comment
n/a
Jacob
Hall's Comment
n/a
