Awesome Movie

I was totally surprised at how great this film.You could feel your paranoia rise as the film went on and as you gradually learned the details of the real situation.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

The Turning Point is a landmark film in the dance movie genre. It follow two former friends and ballerinas, one—Shirley MacLaine—who chose to have a family instead of a career, and the other—Anne Bancroft—who chose the career and is weighing the consequences of what she gave up. MacLaine's daughter is also a ballerina, and as she pursues her dancing, she idolizes Bancroft rather than her own mother.The downside of this movie is the two leads. There's nothing wrong with their acting, and the famous "catfight" scene makes the entire movie worth it, but it's not very believable that either of them was ever a ballerina. MacLaine was a very good dancer in her heyday, and actually knows ballet, but the movie never showcases her skills. To anyone who doesn't know her background, her stature doesn't make her training immediately apparent. Bancroft's willowy frame is showcased in the film, but in the dance world, a ballerina approaches retirement at thirty. Bancroft's age makes the audience exercise a great deal of suspension of disbelief; she's clearly in her forties and still a much-sought-after prima ballerina? Not true in the dance world.The upside: Mikhail Baryshnikov. What a cutie pie! And while they are the minor leads of the movie, there are some beautiful dance scenes with Baryshnikov and Leslie Browne, real-life dancers. Plus, Tom Skerritt, who plays MacLaine's husband, is two tons of handsome. Lots of eye candy in this one, and lots of dancing, so if that appeals to you, rent it during your next girls' weekend!

If you think ballet is amazing and one of the greatest forms of art, then are you in for a treat with "The Turning Point". It is chock full of ballet from start to finish--and you will clearly get your fill of dancing. However, if you are like the other 90% of the public, you are NOT in love with this dance, then you might find the film very, very slow going. It's not only because there is so much dancing but because the film is very, very slow. And, because the characters seemed rather unappealing, it's made even worse. Clearly the film is well made but dull as dishwater. Now I am NOT saying that a ballet theme can't be good (I loved "The Black Swan")--but this particular ballet film is just too tough going for the average bloke. And, I can see while SOME on the Oscar committee loved it, I can also understand how it received 11 nominations and not a single win since it's such a niche film with such limited appeal. Not easy to watch if you are me....

As ballet movies go, this is one of the better ones. It really captures the essence of a company: the rising star, the oversexed male dancer, diva choreographers, budget-conscious artistic directors, and the unique sadness that is the aging ballerina. MacClain and Bancroft deliver their contrived dialog with expertise (even though it appears they did a lot of ADR because the dialog seems to be dubbed) and they handle their relative roles with ease. Bancroft plays the aging diva with perfect grandness and MacClaine is great as the regretful mother. I can overlook the fact that a summer-study student, no matter how brilliant she is (and the young lady here is a highly talented dancer) WOULD NOT get a lead, let alone a solo number in her first year, but the plot is a bit thin, yet it makes it's point: the grass is not always greener on the other side of the stage. The best part of this movie is the dancing, of course. Misha is poetry in tights, always exhilarating and breathtaking. Though the movie was made in the 70s, it still rings true today in the world of ballet.

After my 26th time watching The Turning Point I stopped counting my viewings. Some viewers might say it's not a tightly-written drama, and I don't care. For anyone who's ever enjoyed a dance performance, this is a must-see...or must-OWN. Mikhail Baryshnikov, recently-defected and at the absolute peak of his extrahuman abilities, is nothing short of breathtaking in this film. The first time he's shown dancing in the rehearsal studio invariably takes away my ability to breathe.I also admit that I like the stories which provide the framework for the dance performances. When The Turning Point was originally released, I was about to turn 30. Now bumping my head on 60, I've seen the decisions, transitions, and forks in life's road which face all the film's characters, and have a much greater appreciation for the truth of the film. Shirley MacLaine, Anne Bancroft, Tom Skerrit, and Anthony Zerbe are, as we'd expect, excellent. The 18-year-old Leslie Browne is lovely, and a fine dancer. I'm particularly fond of Alexandra Danilova, one of ballet's immortals, as the matriarchal Madame Dhakarova. In the scene where she's coaching a much-younger woman on the Don Quixote pas de deux, she performs the role not only more correctly, but also more playfully and flirtatiously than her student. It's a treat to see. I love dance (see review of All That Jazz), and I admit my bias freely. In addition to spectacular dance performances, there are good, human stories behind the 70's clothing and hair styles, so watch this film at least once and decide for yourself whether you'll see it again.