Actors Moira Kelly and D. B. Sweeney reflect on the making of figure skating's greatest movie.
If you have yet to upgrade your over-viewed VHS copy of this movie to DVD, you probably haven’t seen the actors reminisce throughout the special features. Behind-the-scenes juicy tidbits of the making of this epic movie are revealed by the personalities we instantly fell in love with when the movie was originally released back in 1992.
This article is not a complete spoiler, though, since there can never be a replacement for the charming looks and wonderful facial expressions the actors carry with them to this day. Their retelling of the story will make you smile through the whole reel.
“Reflections from the Ice”
The most poignant and personal special feature on the DVD is an interview-style look at what the actors went through during the making of the movie. Despite matured facial features, Moira and D. B. are the same personalities we cherished back in the day.
Going into auditions for the movie, neither actor new how to skate. Casting relied first and foremost on chemistry, personality, and understanding of the specific rolls to be played. Coach Evelyn Kramer and choreographer Robin Cousins were their secret weapons.
Both D. B. and Moira hit the ice fifteen hours a day, six days a week for three months while learning to get their skates under them. He admits to enjoying himself while learning to skate, but he also reveals that he didn’t really take their training seriously. He was naturally coordinated and quickly responded to the athletic challenges of his roll. In real life and true to his character, his mischievous side got on her nerves as he enjoyed cutting up the groomed ice surface with his hockey skates.
She, on the other hand, dedicated herself to learning the sport. Coach Kramer even told her she was Olympic material -- had she begun training even just a couple years sooner. Moira’s brother taught her enough hockey technique for her to make a good impression during callbacks.
After that, Moira decided to train seriously – until she fractured her ankle during the first week of filming. Most of the skating scenes had to be shot last. When Kate scoots on her knees to find her lucky earring, and when Doug carries her in after they’d partied to hard, Moira wore a large cast covered by a black leg warmer.
By the end of shooting, the young actress could land single Axels and go into a death spiral. Her raw talent and determination to learn jumps, spins and strokes translated obviously onto her second big-screen project.
Their training took place at Sky Rink since both actors lived in Long Island, NY, at the time. This allowed them to train together, a byproduct of which was the same type of close friendship their characters developed while going through the same process.
The movie crew deserves kudos for breaking new ground in filming techniques. Close-ups during skating sequences were a challenge for camera operators until they constructed their own contraptions to use on the rink. The word “Action!” took on a whole new meaning for the entire crew, not just the actors.
The emotional portrayal of these characters is undoubtedly what sky-rocketed this film into move-making history. The script alone, although great, could not have been read by any other combination of actors and had the same timeless impact. After all, what would The Wizard of Oz have been without Judy Garland? What about Dirty Dancing without Jennifer Grey* or Patrick Swasey?
After the credits roll on this special feature, stay put to enjoy playful banter renewed between the two actors. Time has not melted the chemistry shared by these characters. They have found a warm residence in the hearts of skating enthusiasts for all time.
