Dancing on Glass

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source: Dancing on Glass

Having once been in the real world of classical ballet, I have the satisfaction of saying that it was a tough, disciplined, exhausting but also thrilling, joyous, adventurous and fulfilling career. I wish that films involving ballet, specifically, can be more uplifting and actually show full ballets. For arts' sake, I want the cameras taking dancers in full-body shots rather than half-body which hides most of the choreography. These directors should be former dancers, perhaps? It's so annoying when you can't see legs, feet, line, etc. Sadly, and very often, dance films usually show the "drama" that happens backstage and are often exaggerated. In this film, Irene, the leading lady (Pedraza) never once smiled or showed her LOVE for her art. She throws up her food after meals and conceals it from her oblivious family. Note: Bulimia and anorexia are common diseases developed by the demands of partners, directors, costume people for the dancer to remain skinny. The directress of the Nat'l Classical Company is the oft-cast curmudgeon lady, full of vitriol but stern in her demeanor. Overall, a very tense scenario. Dance is FUN!! The choreography here was strange. I wish they wouldn't fool around with classics like GISELLE, but...everyone tries to make a 20th century version, which doesn't always work. This version should have been off-pointe and called "contemporary" dance instead of "classical". Bravo to Maria Pedraza, who showed what a talented dancer-actress she is! I was pleasantly surprised to see her beautiful form and gorgeous feet on pointe shoes! I also recognized Marta Hazas from the famed TV series "Velvet" as the over-protective and frustrated mother of Aurora, the corps de ballet dancer who befriended Irene. The cast was superb. The dancers were genuine. Will there ever be a happy ending to dance film? One such example is the true story, "Mao's Last Dancer". Look for it. Amazon Prime.

I understand that some people may not get a grip on the story and may have issues with the pacing with the movie itself. That being said, even the few cliches that the movie serves us are being treated elegantly. We have ballet dancers - and as we know already, ballet is nothing to be messed with. If you want to succeed, it seems you have to endure a lot. Physically and psychologically. There are quite a few things that Black Swan might have done a bit better (to say the least, soundtrack definitely being one of them), but comparing those two movies would be a disservice to what this is trying to do. This is trying to shine a light on many different aspects and on many different people. While we never entirely lose the focus on the main characters, we also get motivations from one family involved (with our main character), the dance instructor, best friend, rival dancer and so forth. Again that may feel like the movie took on more that it can chew. But it handles it quite good most of the time. And that ending - you could not have found a better moment. It is not just dreams that are able to fly ...