You might expect its beauty but not its intelligence, its ability to reflect the texture of some extraordinary lives.
75
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
While more performance views would have been welcome, this is a treat no balletomane can afford to miss.
70
L.A. WeeklyHazel-Dawn Dumpert
L.A. WeeklyHazel-Dawn Dumpert
Tavernier's documentary about the famed Paris Opera Ballet is itself a graceful thing, a fleet-footed yet substantial examination of what it means to devote one's life to the art of dance.
The cinematic equivalent of sampling goodies from a spartan tastings menu in which the entrees, desserts and appetizers are confusingly jumbled together.
50
New York Post
New York Post
So it's not only how they dance, or even what they dance, but why they dance. And that makes Tavernier's movie muddled, simplistic and more than a little pretentious.
25
San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle
For the most part this is a dull, dour documentary on what ought to be a joyful or at least fascinating subject.