Joika: Uma Americana no Bolshoi

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.

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.

This film was beautifully executed and acted. You can feel Joy's obsession, her ambition, her dedication and her internal conflict. As an American dancer in Russia her life could not have been easy. It was certainly more difficult than she anticipated it would be. The physical and mental stress, the political corruption must have been a shock for anyone let alone someone so young. I can't help but wonder if she would have had an easier time if she paid more attention to the moment, to what she was doing, instead of yearning for something she didn't have. The film shows her planning and plotting while she should have her head in the moment. This film is a wonderful depiction of ambition getting in the way of success.

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.

Thus movie touched me in many ways but on the top the beauty and acting of Talia Ryder. She remained soul of this movie throughout and non any other character even close to her and I gave 6/10 to this movie just because of Talia. The charm of the movie was all gone as soon as you realize that none other were actually Russians and all are Ukranians or European took part in this movie so their Russian and English both were pathetic and Russians must have been laughing about it while watching this movie. Further the film is made in Poland so it totally lost its charm as picturizing such a movie with Russians and on original locations would have made some sense and perhaps then this movie may score 8-9 out 10.