Am Wendepunkt

Having recently seen this 1977 Herbert Ross film, one can't even imagine what was the appeal when this movie was released. Basically, it's a story about the world of ballet and about what goes on backstage. The screen play by Arthur Laurents presents us with all the petty little feuds, roles coveted and not gotten. Ultimately, it's a story about that a sin in the dancing and acting milieux: growing old!

The film deals with the long standing friendship of DeeDee and Emma. DeeDee has left the ballet company when she became pregnant. Emma goes to shine as the prima ballerina who gets all the honor and accolades. DeeDee is fulfilled with a family of her own, whereas Emma is lonely and desperate. The 'turning point' comes at the end when DeeDee and Emma square their differences in one of the most hilarious moments of the movie.

Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft have great moments in the film. It's always a great fun to watch both of these actresses by themselves, so it's even better watching them together. The rest of the cast includes Tom Skerritt, Martha Scott, Leslie Browne, Anthony Zerbe, Mikhail Baryshnikov and great moments of ballet magic.

As ballet movies go, this is one of the better ones. It really captures the essence of a company: the rising star, the oversexed male dancer, diva choreographers, budget-conscious artistic directors, and the unique sadness that is the aging ballerina. MacClain and Bancroft deliver their contrived dialog with expertise (even though it appears they did a lot of ADR because the dialog seems to be dubbed) and they handle their relative roles with ease. Bancroft plays the aging diva with perfect grandness and MacClaine is great as the regretful mother. I can overlook the fact that a summer-study student, no matter how brilliant she is (and the young lady here is a highly talented dancer) WOULD NOT get a lead, let alone a solo number in her first year, but the plot is a bit thin, yet it makes it's point: the grass is not always greener on the other side of the stage. The best part of this movie is the dancing, of course. Misha is poetry in tights, always exhilarating and breathtaking. Though the movie was made in the 70s, it still rings true today in the world of ballet.

After my 26th time watching The Turning Point I stopped counting my viewings. Some viewers might say it's not a tightly-written drama, and I don't care. For anyone who's ever enjoyed a dance performance, this is a must-see...or must-OWN. Mikhail Baryshnikov, recently-defected and at the absolute peak of his extrahuman abilities, is nothing short of breathtaking in this film. The first time he's shown dancing in the rehearsal studio invariably takes away my ability to breathe.

I also admit that I like the stories which provide the framework for the dance performances. When The Turning Point was originally released, I was about to turn 30. Now bumping my head on 60, I've seen the decisions, transitions, and forks in life's road which face all the film's characters, and have a much greater appreciation for the truth of the film. Shirley MacLaine, Anne Bancroft, Tom Skerrit, and Anthony Zerbe are, as we'd expect, excellent. The 18-year-old Leslie Browne is lovely, and a fine dancer. I'm particularly fond of Alexandra Danilova, one of ballet's immortals, as the matriarchal Madame Dhakarova. In the scene where she's coaching a much-younger woman on the Don Quixote pas de deux, she performs the role not only more correctly, but also more playfully and flirtatiously than her student. It's a treat to see.

I love dance (see review of All That Jazz), and I admit my bias freely. In addition to spectacular dance performances, there are good, human stories behind the 70's clothing and hair styles, so watch this film at least once and decide for yourself whether you'll see it again.

Winner Best Picture and Director Golden Globe and 11 Academy Award nominations is a tip. From a real-life story of primary star Leslie Browne (longtime of the ABT) the film follows Emilia's adoption into the company of ballet stars from a family of dancers who retired to have her. Shirley Maclaine's Best movie. Anne Bancroft is unbelievable as a ballet dancer not ready to give up the limelight but ready to steal her friend's thunder as the enabler of a great ballet career for Emilia. This a great movie. Watch for some great choreography by all the big names, plus the great plus Alvin Ailey, and a shop window of ballet greats. Baryshnikov in his prime, Martins and Merrill on the side, Great editing, cinematography, the whole shebang.

A wonderful look inside the world of ballet, even if it is probably all highly refined balonium. A young and rising ballerina learns that great artists are not always great men; a mother would could have been a great ballerina finally has the hair-pulling match with the ballerina who wishes she'd been a mother that's she's wanted to have for years; catty remarks fly in all directions; and everyone is bound together, for good or ill, by their love of one particular form of art. You could bath for years in the suds of the soapy movie, but sometimes there's nothing quite so satisfying as a good soak. See it if you wish "The Ice Storm" had been any good.