Joika

No pun intended - and if you know your ballet you get the reference anyway ... although if you know your ballet (as in really know) ... you might have heard of the real story behind this movie. While it may sound and feel cliche at times, apparently some of this actually happened.

I think you can tell I have no clue what transpired ... but maybe that helps the experience of watching this: not knowing where it will end up! Or rather where our main heroine will end up ... ballet or the pursuit of it .. does not really feel like the pursuit of happiness. Is it worth it? What does "winning" mean? How can one even measure ones success? Take the ending of this for example (no worries, won't say what it is) ... if the credits did not clarify ... it might or could have been interpreted differently I reckon.

Really tight script and well acted overall to say the least. Interesting I never heard of this before - good that I was able to find it on a streaming service.

Absolutely exquisite dancing. Diane Kruger and the lead dance Talia as the American are so incredibly beautiful to watch. Their grace and balletic postures and figures make this a true depiction of ballet. The director and the actresses really did take us to Russia, and to the ballet. The story is absolutely amazing, and I was delighted to see the ballerina Natalia Osipova featured as herself, and hear that Joy Womack was the Talia Ryder's body double in some of the scenes as well as her trainer. This gives such authenticity to this gorgeous movie. I preferred it to Black Swan which is one of my best.

American ballet dancer Joy Womack fights tooth and nail to be accepted into Moscow's infamously tough Bolshoi Ballet Academy, with the dream of becoming a prima ballerina.

The obvious comparison is to Black Swan. Both films tell of the rigours and trials of training, becoming a ballerina, and then achieving greatness. Only a tiny proportion of ballerinas achieve great success, and this is about overcoming sabotage as well as politics and of course...training harder than anyone else.

Both films show the dark side and the bright side of ballet although arguably The American has fewer dancing scenes.

Talia Ryder is perfect in the role as Natalie Portman was in Black Swan. I totally believed in her dream, I believed in her ability to achieve it, and I believed that inside her she was born a dancer.

I wonder how much of the story is actual fact? Much of it is apparently, including the corruption allegations. This is how great the film was. It has made me question every aspect of it, and research Joy Womack's life so I get to know more about her, and generally have a more positive opinion of how difficult it is to become a great ballerina.

Fabulous film, I gave it a solid 8.

Really well-done movie with touching photography, delving into the depths of human nature and the infinite ambition of chasing one's dreams. How much would you sacrifice for your dream?

Sacrifice amidst high-level politics, the cost of climbing to the top while staying true to yourself without losing touch with reality. An excellent film made on a minimal budget that serves as a reminder that more isn't always better. It's simple but direct, and provokes thought and reflection. You will not regret watching it. It doesn't matter if you like ballet or not; the same sentiment can be applied to any other form of live performance.

Oh wow I loved this movie. It really got me where it hurts. I sat in silence for quite a while after the credits rolled.

I come from dance, haven't been in that world for years, but this felt so authentic in the way it captured what it was like to yearn to be better at something, devote every ounce of your life to it, constantly hit setbacks, and reach a point where your desire becomes an almost dangerous obsession to the point that it can make you question who you really are.

The images are so beautiful to look at from beginning to end, and everything about the film felt impeccably crafted. Most importantly, it didn't at all shy away from the tougher sides of what this kind of life is like. It felt honest, emotional, and completely overwhelming.

I am now newly obsessed with Joy Womack. Amazing!!