Ballerina

Ultimately, I didn’t care for “Ballerina”, but I’m not sorry I paid for my movie ticket. While the story isn’t great and the writing is not much better, there’s good stuff here.

Set in 1880’s France, orphaned Félicie (voiced by Elle Fanning) dreams of becoming a ballerina. Running away with her friend Victor (voiced by Dane DeHaan), she cons her way into the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet.

This French-Canadian collaboration deserves praise for its animation. The character designs are unique, the backgrounds lush and detailed, the movements/actions vibrant, but most of all, it excels at bringing the ballet to life. It’s hard not to be charmed at the scenes where Félicie is taken under the wing of caretaker Odette (voiced by Carly Rae Jepsen) and learns all of the various positions and tricks required to compete for the coveted role in “The Nutcracker”. When there are dance numbers on-screen, the camera work is dynamic and inspired. Best of all, it pans back, allowing you to see every bit of footwork. I found it inspiring. Can you imagine what could be done using these cinematic techniques in a “Step-Up”-style dance film, or a martial arts action picture? Just because it isn’t Pixar, Illumination or Dreamworks, doesn’t mean it won’t look good. The photography here is so good you wish more films would imitate it.

In some markets, the film is available in its native French language and if you can, that’s the version I recommend you check out. The English translation isn’t bad, but it doesn’t help what is, unfortunately, a weak story. There are a number of extraneous characters that could’ve been cut and the antagonists, in particular, are crudely developed, if at all. More focus on the worthwhile characters, Félicie, Odette, the ballet instructor (voiced by Terrence Scammell) and Félicie’s rivals would’ve made the film less predictable.

I wish the writing in “Ballerina” had matched the splendid visuals featured. While your children will enjoy it, particularly if they’re little girls that aspire to be dancers themselves, there’s not much here for adults. (Theatrical version on the Big Screen, March 4, 2017)