How Old Was Baby Supposed to Be in ‘Dirty Dancing’?

Introduction

The 1987 classic film ‘Dirty Dancing’ has become a beloved cultural touchstone for generations of fans. At its heart, the movie is a romantic coming-of-age story, featuring the iconic couple of Baby (Jennifer Grey) and Johnny (Patrick Swayze).

One of the most notable aspects of the couple’s relationship is the age gap between them, with Baby being 17 years old while Johnny is 24. This age gap has been a source of debate and discussion over the years, with many people questioning why the filmmakers chose to make this particular pairing work. In this article, we will explore how old was Baby supposed to be in ‘Dirty Dancing’ and look at the social commentary behind the age gap between the two characters.

Analyzing the Age Gap in ‘Dirty Dancing’

When it comes to analyzing the age gap in ‘Dirty Dancing’, it’s important to consider both the real-life age difference between the two actors and how this translates into the characters onscreen. In real life, Jennifer Grey was 24 years old when she played Baby, while Patrick Swayze was 32 years old when he played Johnny.

However, the characters in the movie are much younger than their real-life counterparts. Baby is 17 years old in the movie, while Johnny is 24. This seven-year age gap is a significant factor in the dynamic between the two characters, and it’s one that the filmmakers were very aware of. When asked about the age gap in an interview, director Emile Ardolino said, “We wanted to keep that kind of innocence between them… We wanted to keep her young enough so that it wasn’t inappropriate.”

The age gap between Baby and Johnny also carries a certain amount of social commentary. While it’s not a central theme of the film, it does subtly illustrate the power dynamics between an older man and a younger woman. Baby is portrayed as naive and inexperienced, while Johnny is portrayed as confident and experienced. This dynamic is highlighted by the fact that Johnny is seven years older than Baby, which makes him seem more mature and worldly.

From Script to Screen: How Old Was Baby Supposed to Be in ‘Dirty Dancing’?

When the ‘Dirty Dancing’ screenplay was first written, the age gap between Baby and Johnny was even larger than it ended up being in the final film. The original script had Baby as 16 years old, while Johnny was 25. However, after some rewrites and revisions, the age gap was eventually reduced to seven years.

It’s clear that the filmmakers were conscious of the age gap between Baby and Johnny, and they adjusted it in order to make the relationship more palatable to audiences. By reducing the age gap from nine years to seven years, the filmmakers were able to make the relationship seem more appropriate, while still maintaining the power dynamics between the two characters.

In addition to the age gap, there are other factors that contribute to the dynamic between Baby and Johnny. For example, Johnny is portrayed as an experienced dancer, while Baby is a novice. This adds another layer to the power dynamic between the two characters, as Johnny is able to teach and mentor Baby in the art of dance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s clear that the age gap between Baby and Johnny in ‘Dirty Dancing’ was carefully considered by the filmmakers. The original script had the two characters separated by a nine-year age gap, but this was eventually reduced to seven years in order to make the relationship more palatable to audiences. Despite the reduction in age, the power dynamics between the two characters remain the same, with Johnny being the experienced one and Baby being the naive one.

The age gap in ‘Dirty Dancing’ serves as a commentary on the power dynamics between an older man and a younger woman, and it’s a dynamic that continues to resonate with viewers today. Whether you’re a fan of the film or not, it’s hard to deny the impact of the age gap between Baby and Johnny.