I don't know anything about dance, and I went to see this because my friend wanted someone to go with him. At first I was like "oh great, what did I get myself into for the next hour and a half" because I didn't want to watch annoying teenagers perform what seemed like horrible dance moves - especially after watching dancers with machine-like precision on So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With the Stars. But there was so much more going on. These teenagers first of all seemed so different than American teenagers. They seemed more authentic and more human somehow. It was amazing to see what was asked of them in the raw, behind the scenes, way we are able to see it. The teachers were so dedicated, such good guides, so in love with the youth of the teenagers. The teenagers themselves were transformed and the final product was actually really great. Pina seemed to understand the symbol she embodied, she was a muse and she took the responsibility seriously, pointing past herself to something greater. Not many egos can withstand that but she bore the burden of what she represented very well. She was old and had seen it all in terms of dance yet she was as mesmerized as we were. I felt transported during this movie and afterward, I felt so alive. You can't ask for more from a movie than that.
