Reviews

This film was so very compelling & interesting...in the first half. Once Dr Ritter was introduced, it fell so flat we couldn't be bothered to finish the film. Rooney Mara, Toni Collette, Ron Perlman & David Strathairn were stellar.... Cate Blanchett was on-brand: mysterious & all-wise. Bradley Cooper was great, and awful, like there were 2 competing parts he played.

The carnival life was well depicted The art design of the film was super, although you got a distinct art noveau sense of the 20s more than wartime 40s.

May look for the book to find out the ending. Interested to find out Molly's destiny.

I loved the choice of actors, the acting itself, the art direction, costuming and most everything about this film...BUT the screenplay. I read the book and remember it as a lively, interesting fast-paced read, but the movie stays lugged down, even despite the best efforts of the actors involved. I was pleased to watch it though, I was, but couldn't help but make the same comparison most do when watching a film adaptation of a favorite book...it couldn't help but pale in contrast. Anthony Edwards did his best, and it was charming, that was worth watching. Lauren Bacall, Mary Stuart Masterson, Virginia Madsen, Anjelica Huston...all so lovely to watch. I think even if I had not read the book I would have found the film sluggish, but it was sweet to watch.

I've just seen this film yesterday, and enjoyed it a great deal. I do agree with the other fellow's review that the main characters, Lisa and Tony, hadn't made a deeper connection yet in the viewer's mind when the big climax part came. Too little effort was placed on that part, with only small sections working on their budding friendship/romance. But, as a non-professional, the dancing bits were lovely. I enjoyed watching the walk-through rehearsals, getting an idea perhaps of how these ballets are placed together much like a play or television performance. I love Baryschnikov anyway, and Allesandra Ferri is so graceful and lovely as a dancer...it really was fun to see.