Dançando para a Vida

I'm an American and I always enjoy the productions that the BBC plays. I was really excited about Ballet Shoes. I read the book when I was younger, my copy was destroyed in Katrina so I didn't have time to re-read it. So this review will be short and sweet and about the film itself. The film itself was well done, very seamless and didn't seem to leave any big gaps of unexplained information. The music really help set the mood. Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies set the mood for all the dancing, which as a dancer was pretty impressive for the three leads, especially Lucy Boyton. And Gershwin Along with Theo's radio help send in the time period (loved Theo!). The costumes and the sets were great. The acting was also fantastic. I don't remember a lot of the book, but I loved Madame Fidolia and Eileen Atkins was superb. I also loved Emilia Fox who is completely lovable and does a great job of bringing Sylvia alive. Richard Griffiths was adorable (horrible word choice, but that's how I feel) in an eccentric paleontologist way. I especially loved Theo and the Dr.'s, they were brought to life and very fun to watch.

As for the young fossil girls I have to say Lucy Boyton was my favorite. She was spunky, funny and very Posy. She showed a maturity far beyond her years. Yasmin Page was very intense as Petrova and appeared very thoughtful and intelligent. She was fantastic. Emma Watson was a little inconsistent. She had moments where she did great, the audition scene was very good, and when she acted like a prima donna she really shone, otherwise it appeared she was just reading off of a piece of paper, her performance was a little wooden and didn't do it for me. All together the three girls had a great amount of chemistry along with Nana and Sylvia they felt like a family. Overall I thought an enjoyable, CLEAN, family film. Worth seeing.

This is a TV film based on the book Ballet Shoes. It is about three adopted girls just after the First World War who all have different ambitions for the future.

This may come as a shocking statement to some, but I think this deserved to be in the cinemas just as much as Spiderman 3, Enchanted and that sort of thing. I like those films as well of course, but this is really something.

I like this for the brilliant acting from Emma Watson etc, the similarity to the Noel Streatfield book, a lot of the humour and the end of the story, it is one of my favourite parts of the film. It may miss bits out from the book, but those bits are the unnecessary parts and the parts left in are well-chosen. I cannot properly explain how and why I like this (the previous part of the paragraph was not totally what I meant), but I just recommend it to anyone who likes the book and people who like Emma Watson.

At the very beginning of the film, a young girl with no surviving relatives other than her uncle, goes to live with him in his huge house of fossils. Her life becomes happier, but it soon turns out to be hard work again when on his travels around the world, the uncle sends her three baby girls. These girls grow up to have bright personalities and mixed interests and talents.

Enjoy "Ballet Shoes"! :-)

The reason why I actually saw this movie is cause a girlfriend of mine is a die-hard Harry Potter fan, loves the movies and will look every movie the cast of HP has a part in. So watching this one with her, I had no expectations cause I didn't know what this film was about and to be honest, when it was over I still had no clue whatsoever what this was supposed to be. A drama, a comedy, a vehicle to boost some young talents careers? I had no clue. So after 90 minutes of twists and turns, unlikely coincidences and a kind of rushed happy end I was sitting there uttering the words "now this is bogus!". It's not that it was a bad movie per se, we have a very unlikely story, a very good but also very very stereotypically cast set of actors that act over the top, a weird storyline and lots of dancing. So I didn't have the feeling that it was a bad movie, but I still had no idea what this was supposed to be. The only thing I really took from it was that whoever is to direct the next film starring Emma Watson has to botox her forehead back to the stoneage cause her eyebrows have to stop moving when she is acting. I mean I ended up staring at them cause even though there is lots of dancing in the film her eyebrows are the things that move the most. On the other hand, it has been worse in the HP movies. However, it wasn't until I spoke with another friend of mine - another Harry Potter fan and mom of 4 kids - and complained about this film that I was told that this is an adaption of a child book classic. I suppose this was the godmother of all "duuuuh" moments someone can have, especially after I was lectured for a solid 15 minutes about how great the book is how her kids love it how much they can learn about the importance of hard work and taking care of each other and yadda yadda yadda plus just cause I'm a guy and not into the Harry Potter stuff I still have no right to badmouth the girl playing Hermione cause it's her fave character in the books. So, knowing that it's a kids book the stereotypical characters make sense and with that in mind the actors casted for the roles actually fit perfect. Richard Griffiths is befuddled and funny as always, Marc Warren can be the shy guy once more just to name a few. And so finally, the twist and turns and the happy end make sense too, so does the fact that I couldn't understand the story, cause it's made for little girls in the 1930s. I guess I really dodged a bullet there, for a few days I thought I was just stupid.

"Ballet Shoes," released in 2007 and directed by Sandra Goldbacher, is a heartwarming tale based on the novel of the same name by Noel Streatfeild. Set in 1930s London, the film follows the lives of three adopted sisters - Pauline, Petrova, and Posy Fossil - as they navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with pursuing their dreams of becoming performers.

The story begins with the three sisters living in poverty with their guardian, Sylvia Brown, who struggles to make ends meet. When Sylvia leaves to travel the world, she entrusts the care of the girls to her friend, Gum, who runs a boarding house. Despite their modest upbringing, the sisters share a deep love for the arts, each possessing unique talents and aspirations.

Pauline dreams of becoming an actress and eagerly embraces the opportunity to audition for the prestigious Children's Academy of Dramatic Arts. Petrova, on the other hand, is more interested in machines and dreams of becoming an aviator. Posy, the youngest sister, is a gifted dancer with a passion for ballet.

As the sisters pursue their respective passions, they encounter various challenges and setbacks along the way. From financial struggles to the pressures of the competitive performing arts world, each girl must find the strength and determination to overcome obstacles and follow her dreams.

One of the film's greatest strengths is its portrayal of the bond between the sisters. Despite their differences in personality and interests, Pauline, Petrova, and Posy share a deep love and loyalty to each other. Their unwavering support and encouragement serve as a source of inspiration throughout their journey.

The performances in "Ballet Shoes" are top-notch, with Emma Watson, Yasmin Paige, and Lucy Boynton delivering standout performances as Pauline, Petrova, and Posy, respectively. Their chemistry on screen is palpable, bringing depth and authenticity to their characters' relationships.

Beyond its charming characters and engaging storyline, "Ballet Shoes" also offers valuable lessons about perseverance, resilience, and the importance of following one's passion. Through the trials and triumphs of the Fossil sisters, viewers are reminded of the power of determination and the fulfillment that comes from pursuing one's dreams.

In conclusion, "Ballet Shoes" is a delightful and uplifting film that celebrates the bonds of sisterhood and the pursuit of artistic expression. With its compelling performances, heartfelt storytelling, and timeless themes, it is sure to captivate audiences of all ages. Whether you're a fan of dance, drama, or simply heartwarming tales of triumph, "Ballet Shoes" is a must-watch film that will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.

This reminded me of the Sunday afternoon dramas that the BBC used to show when I was young. There was nothing to dislike about this; it had charm, an improbable story, over-the-top characters and a real feel of the period it was set in - the thirties.

There were lots of familiar faces; it was good to see Peter Bowles back on TV and anything with Victoria Wood has to be good. Emma Watston sustained the reputation she built up in the Harry Potter films - she is definitely going to be a big-name actress in the future. My personal accolade of Best Actress, however, went to Yasmin Paige who played Petrova, the girl who wants to be the aviator. You heard it here first folks - she is going to be a famous actress - and I'm not even her mother!