University of Virginia Library

First Prize

What prompts the contestants to
subject themselves to the physical
and mental tortures of the seemingly
eternal "dance of destiny" is the
$1,500 first prize which allegedly
awaits the couple with the greatest
endurance. Most of them come
with dreams, which soon fade away
into nightmarish realities. But since
they are all in a state of desperation,
they continue as long as they
can - until they are disqualified, or
quit because of fatigue, or are taken
sick, or simply get lucky and die.

With the sphere of mirrors
hanging above, the dance floor
takes on a garish, carnival aura.
Some contestants are backed by
sponsors, such as Jonathan's Iron
Tonic. Life and death thereby take
on a crass commercialism. To the
dancers, it's a contest; to Mr.
Young, it's a show; to director
Pollack, it's a microcosm of the
outside world.

Mr. Pollack rarely lets the action
leave the oceanside auditorium. He
keeps us entranced while switching
his focus from one couple to
another, each representing different
aspirations, viewpoints, beliefs, and
ways of life. His direction is at its
best in the fast-paced derby scenes
which show the contestants racing
around a makeshift track wearing
gym suits, tripping over each other,
carrying collapsed partners, trying to
remain in contention. One slow
motion sequence makes the torture
all the more vivid by capturing the
pain and anguish displayed on the
characters' faces.