Robert Altman's Neve Campbell collaborated film "The Company" featured dazzling ballet excerpts that's almost like a promo for the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. One just might want to see the full live performances. They are mostly modern dances, just the names of the dances are intriguing and poetic: "Tensile Involvement", "Light Rain", "Creative Force", "Trinity", "Strange Prisoners", "White Widow". "The Blue Snake" is elaborate fun, and "My Funny Valentine" showcased Neve Campbell herself (who originated the story and co-produced the film) dancing a duet in a most dramatic setting with hailing wind, thunder and rain, and an audience that won't budge in spite of the inclement weather - they were mesmerized, somehow. I was particularly impressed with the creative lighting designs (by Kevin Dreyer) so innovatively presented, enhancing the whole look and feel of each ballet. Of course, the choreography, music, costumes and the hard work of each dancer all come to fruition.
It's true that this film is thin on storyline. If the intent is to give us a taste of the repertoire of the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago Company, and snippets of backstage 'organized chaos' during a ballet performance, then it's satisfactorily delivered. The slim in-between scenes of Campbell (as star-rising dancer Ry) and James Franco (as Ry's boyfriend who's not involved in the world of dance but food preparation instead), and the occasional on screen presence of Malcolm McDowell (as the company's artistic director) provided some sort of semblance to the various aspects in the world of ballet.
For a more comprehensive look at the life of ballet dancers - from performances to backstage, one on one on the spot exchanges, young students (12-14 of age) starting at dance school, and perspectives from dance teachers, star dancers and a prima ballerina at her last performance before retiring (at age 40), check out the insightful and satisfying documentary (available on DVD) by French filmmaker Nils Tavernier, "Etoiles: Dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet" (aka "Tout près des étoiles" -- very near to the stars, indeed).
Other more dramatic movies on ballet: Nicholas Hytner's "Center Stage" 2000, with an energetic young cast, about the trials and tribulation & jubilation of becoming a ballet dancer; Herbert Ross' "The Turning Point" 1977 with Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft, also featured Mikhail Baryshnikov, about the aspirations and pains of pursuing & not pursuing a career in ballet.
It's true that this film is thin on storyline. If the intent is to give us a taste of the repertoire of the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago Company, and snippets of backstage 'organized chaos' during a ballet performance, then it's satisfactorily delivered. The slim in-between scenes of Campbell (as star-rising dancer Ry) and James Franco (as Ry's boyfriend who's not involved in the world of dance but food preparation instead), and the occasional on screen presence of Malcolm McDowell (as the company's artistic director) provided some sort of semblance to the various aspects in the world of ballet.
For a more comprehensive look at the life of ballet dancers - from performances to backstage, one on one on the spot exchanges, young students (12-14 of age) starting at dance school, and perspectives from dance teachers, star dancers and a prima ballerina at her last performance before retiring (at age 40), check out the insightful and satisfying documentary (available on DVD) by French filmmaker Nils Tavernier, "Etoiles: Dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet" (aka "Tout près des étoiles" -- very near to the stars, indeed).
Other more dramatic movies on ballet: Nicholas Hytner's "Center Stage" 2000, with an energetic young cast, about the trials and tribulation & jubilation of becoming a ballet dancer; Herbert Ross' "The Turning Point" 1977 with Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft, also featured Mikhail Baryshnikov, about the aspirations and pains of pursuing & not pursuing a career in ballet.