On February 20, 1987, the drama Square Dance premiered in theaters, featuring a talented cast led by Winona Ryder, Jason Robards, Jane Alexander, and Rob Lowe. Directed by Daniel Petrie, the film explored themes of coming-of-age, social class differences, and personal struggles in small-town America.
The story follows Gemma Dillard (Winona Ryder), a 13-year-old girl who moves from a rural farm to the city, where she befriends Rory (Rob Lowe), a young man with an intellectual disability. Their unexpected bond highlights the contrast between innocence and the harsh realities of adulthood. While the film received mixed reviews, critics praised Ryder’s breakout performance, showing early signs of the talent that would make her a star in the coming years.
Despite its modest box office earnings of $225,000, Square Dance gained attention for its heartfelt performances and was noted for Rob Lowe’s dramatic departure from his usual teen heartthrob roles.
Fun fact: Winona Ryder’s performance in Square Dance caught the attention of director Tim Burton, helping her land the role of Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice the following year.
Trivia question: What 1986 coming-of-age drama was Winona Ryder’s film debut before starring in Square Dance?
The story follows Gemma Dillard (Winona Ryder), a 13-year-old girl who moves from a rural farm to the city, where she befriends Rory (Rob Lowe), a young man with an intellectual disability. Their unexpected bond highlights the contrast between innocence and the harsh realities of adulthood. While the film received mixed reviews, critics praised Ryder’s breakout performance, showing early signs of the talent that would make her a star in the coming years.
Despite its modest box office earnings of $225,000, Square Dance gained attention for its heartfelt performances and was noted for Rob Lowe’s dramatic departure from his usual teen heartthrob roles.
Fun fact: Winona Ryder’s performance in Square Dance caught the attention of director Tim Burton, helping her land the role of Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice the following year.
Trivia question: What 1986 coming-of-age drama was Winona Ryder’s film debut before starring in Square Dance?
