Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze (1952-2009)

Hollywood lost a very charasmatic and decent actor and human being this past week in Patrick Swayze. He might have not been an outstanding actor but he was solid and had great screen presence. 'Dirty Dancing' made him a big star and he deserved it because his sex appeal in that was undeniable. Patrick started out in a small role in the televison show 'Mash' and a forgettable teen movie in 'Skate Town USA' (79). He emerged on the screen with a huge cast of heartthrobs and future great actors in Francis Coppola's adaptation of 'The Outsiders'. I think that movie is a beautiful, under rated and flawlessly directed masterpiece and Swayze was very good even though it was a small part. He did make people remember him though with that role and casting agents saw it too. He made a small forgettable movie in 'Grandview USA' but I thought he was excellent in it. That same year came 'Red Dawn' which is hokey, cheesy and laughable in spots but it wasn't forgettable and he stood out in that.

A nice start to a promising career but then a little period piece with a hot soundtrack and great appeal would put Swayze on the map and make him a leading man and that was 'Dirty Dancing'. Yes you could pick it apart and find many laughable and cheesy scenes and goofy dialogue but the movie was highly entertaining. Swayze showed he had great potential and shocked people with his outstanding dancing skills and maybe there was more to him than just sex appeal. Before Swayze's biggest hit there was a little gem called 'Roadhouse' that came out and this is one of the best bad movies ever made. 'Roadhouse' was loud, violent, cartoonish, silly, laughable but damn entertaining, 80's cheese at it's finest. I also could watch it over and over because it was a lot of fun. I love it becuase nowadays no one would have the balls to pull it off. Swayze now showed that he could fight and when the pretty blond doctor came to stitch him up Dalton was so tough that he didn't need a shot to numb the pain. Swayze then filmed just a plainly terrible movie in Chicago called 'Next of Kin' but then his second super hit came in the Academy Award nominated 'Ghost'. Swayze had great chemistry with Demi Moore and sold us on a tricky role of someone the other characters couldn't see. This is clearly his best performance and it proved to a lot of naysayers that he could act. This is a classic Hollywood tearjerker and commerical hit that catapaulted him even higher in stardom.

Swayze then made a hard hitting, action packed movie with 'Point Break' which also starred another huge star at the time in Keanu Reeves. This was a big budget action blockbuster that delivered even though there are a lot of unintentional laughs and plot holes. Swayze could fight, dance and make people cry now and he had the potential to keep it going even higher. He made a bold move next in doing a small independent drama in 'City of Joy' which was actually good and maybe contained his best performance even over 'Ghost' but the film was not successful. He then showed he could even stretch even further by actually going drag in 'Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar' which was bold but the movie was forgettable. Patrick's career started to slide a little after that but he came back with an interesting television show in 'The Beast' but it was kind of dull. Patrick Swayze might have not set the World on fire with his acting but he was a better actor than most people think and he got the job done. He will be missed because I actually think he could have had a good second career as a supporting character actor. So long Patrick and thanks for the good movies you gave us and for all the memories.

Patrick Swayze's Films

The Outsiders (83) ****
Red Dawn (84) **1/2
Grandview USA (84) **1/2
Dirty Dancing (87) ***
Road House (89) ***
Next of Kin (89) *1/2
Ghost (90) ***1/2
Break Point (91) ***
City of Joy (92) ***