Birds of Paradise

This could have been a really good film. A masterpiece even. I hate that it missed that chance because it didn't exactly know what to focus on, what message it wanted to put out there, it is giving me the feeling as if it was not edited right.

The film had its shining moments and the acting is superb especially Kristine Frøseth's performance - just wow. She is so believable in her portrayal of Marine.

But the rest of it, most importantly the storyline felt rushed, like there were too many things going on and not enough time to tell them. Themes and plots were being juggled all at the same time and it it did not come out well.

I wish the directiom and the writing have been focused on the darker themes of betrayal, self sabotage, the grit and competition, the mentality and toxic environment of ballet, if it was able to balance the themes well and have given it the time to simmer then this would be a legend of a film.

Instead I found myself confused having to digest new pieces of information about the characters watching it all unfold too fast whilst still trying to process what had happened a few scenes back.

The choreography is brilliant ut ther ewer enit enough dancing shown, the cinematography will take you there but then once you the story becomes lacking. We are gifted the chemistry of the two main leads but even that was not maximized.

It felt as though I went to eat at a restaurant expecting to have a good meal that will fill me but found the dishes uncooked and left feeling even hungrier.

This is very much what you would expect from a dark ballet story in terms of the rivalry, backstabbing, abuse, sex, drugs, etc. It has a dreamlike quality to it, wonderful dancing, and a cool setting though that keeps it somewhat interesting even when its not entirely original or unique.

I watched this movie more for the reason to see if it was anything new or different.

Unfortunately it ran along the same lines as every movie that has been done regarding balllet. As in there are always the mean gals and the nice gals competing for a dance prize that only 1 gal and 1 boy can win , maybe the slight glimpses of the backgrounds of the main characters may differ from previous movies but essentially it is much the same!

The only difference that I can see is nobody dies or is killed by the end so that I suppose is a slight twist . However not enough to make this movie stand out from the likes of Black swan and all the other generic ballet movies.

Competition brings out the best in some people... but it can destroy others.

'Black Cygnet'.

Reads as a cliche, that attempts to be an original. The attempt succeeded, in humanising the expected villains of the story. It examines the full variety of motivations of goal driven people and you find yourself rooting for people to find the best version of themself. It manages to reflect who we are, when we are in similar situations. It is not a fairytale in the end, and realistically dark when it should be.

Expect a rich kid poor kid story that is realistic.