Best Impromptu Dance Scenes of the 21st Century
(Non-musicals only: sorry La La Land)
I must confess, whenever I see someone busting some moves in a movie – I enjoy it. But, I’m particularly thrilled whenever this dance comes out of nowhere and is unexpected. Indeed, dancing has played an important role in the history of cinema, with one being able to follow its lineage throughout film’s evolution. But what I have liked most about dance in cinema is that it can be the most random of film. So, I thought I would list some of the most unexpected (and best) dance scenes in films after 2000. Sorry – no musicals or films where a dance scene is a key plot point, a la Silver Linings Playbook, can be included.
500 Days of Summer (2009)
This is so classic. Joseph Gordon Levitt just got laid and he feels like a million bucks. He’s feeling good about himself, has a pep in step and thinks he’s Han fucking Solo. The Halls and Oates song is amazing and makes you feel good about yourself. There’s some pretty blatant metaphors here: the water fountains, everyone in blue, the home run – I’ll let you use your own imagination. But, another comrade out the friend zone is worth jiving too.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
I LOVE this. It’s inappropriate, charming and hilarious all in one. Let me put the caveat in first that this is included on this list as although we know they’re going to a pageant show we never know anything about the dance – nor do the family, I mean look at the shock on their faces. The thing I love the most about this dance scene is Greg Kinnear letting loose. Considering he’s had a stick up his ass the whole movie and even told his daughter would get fat if she ate too much ice cream – to see him up there was awesome. A family that dances together, stays together.
Joker (2019)
Very different to the two above, but what they all have in common is that they catch you off guard. I mean, Arthur has just killed three men on a subway and this is a symbolic signal of the ushering in of The Joker persona. This scene was improvised after director Todd Phillips received this piece of the score from Hildur Guonadottir. People have made their own theories into what this scene is about – but I buy into the idea it’s a form of meditation and him calming himself down after what’s just happened.
Ex Machina
Dance scenes can also offer a drastic tonal shift – perhaps none more so then above. It starts off pretty chilling and ominous. Then all of a sudden we get a bit of a boogie from Oscar Isaac. I guess even bad guys like to dance.
Spiderman 3 (2007)
I’m kidding – this sucks.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Similarly to how dancing can change the tone of a film, it can also set it for the rest of the film. Chris Pratt, doesn’t give the best dance moves by any means above but it’s easy to forget how Guardians of the Galaxy was unlike any comic book film we’ve ever seen above. So to see the guy from Parks and Rec thrusting his hips whilst listening to a Sony Walkman was a bit different. Perhaps most importantly, however, is that this opening makes the audience feel at ease that they’re in for a fun and not so serious film.
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Could anyone have predicted seeing Tom Cruise dancing to Ludacris in a fat suit? To me, this is one of the funniest films I’ve ever seen and Tom Cruise dancing in the end credits was the cherry on the cake. It’s a visual stimulus to seeing him running off the tops of buildings or jumping on Oprah’s sofa like a freak.
Love Actually (2003)
Merry Christmas.