The Company (2003), directed by Robert Altman, is an ambitious attempt to depict the uglier aspects of life within a dance company as the dancers create the beautiful art we see on the stage.
By now, it's no surprise to us that ballet dancers are athletes--they practice,they compete within the company, they argue with the choreographers, and they get injured both physically and psychologically.
What's surprising is that a newly created program, described by the choreographer in a way that makes it sound ridiculous, can be so incredibly beautiful when it's performed.
The movie stars Neve Campbell as a young dancer. (Campbell is also one of the writers.) Campbell has studied dance, and she does a creditable job as a talented professional who's ready to break out of the corps and become a star.
Malcolm McDowell plays the talented but egotistical artistic director of the company. For reasons unclear to me, the character is called Alberto Antonelli, and one entire scene revolves around the fact this he's Italian-American. McDowell is a fine actor, but he's the least Italianate person in the movie. I don't know what Altman had in mind with this aspect of the plot.
In summary, see this movie for the dancing, and for its insight into the inner workings of a dance company. If you can forget the plot, and watch the ballet, The Company will be worth seeing.
By now, it's no surprise to us that ballet dancers are athletes--they practice,they compete within the company, they argue with the choreographers, and they get injured both physically and psychologically.
What's surprising is that a newly created program, described by the choreographer in a way that makes it sound ridiculous, can be so incredibly beautiful when it's performed.
The movie stars Neve Campbell as a young dancer. (Campbell is also one of the writers.) Campbell has studied dance, and she does a creditable job as a talented professional who's ready to break out of the corps and become a star.
Malcolm McDowell plays the talented but egotistical artistic director of the company. For reasons unclear to me, the character is called Alberto Antonelli, and one entire scene revolves around the fact this he's Italian-American. McDowell is a fine actor, but he's the least Italianate person in the movie. I don't know what Altman had in mind with this aspect of the plot.
In summary, see this movie for the dancing, and for its insight into the inner workings of a dance company. If you can forget the plot, and watch the ballet, The Company will be worth seeing.