39 replies to this topic

[momof3darlings]

Piccolo, I wholeheartedly agree.  We're too hard on the movie or any dance movies for that matter.  Sure, it was cheesy.  Sure, it was strangely written in alot of places.  But, it did bring our art back to the "Joe Sixpack" masses.  Dance is a hard thing to portray realistically unless it is in a documentary sort of arena.  

So, sometimes whether we really like them or not.....we need to buy the video, go to the theatre, and see them.  So that it will give the impression that there is a market for them.  Someone will get it right every 10 movies or so and then we'll be glad we did.

missy  

[Watermill]

I'm assuming, OF, that you're referring to SF...but who could ever portray that miracle?  I would rather savor the dimming memory of seeing her bring nuance and phrasing to the smallest moments and movements imaginable, than watch Follywood stumble at capturing the uncapturable.

I would preface the following paragraph by reminding the young balletomanes who love this film that I am just expressing my humble opinion and do not wish to diminish their enjoyment of CS.  But a Forum is a place for opinions, isn't it?

I share LMCtech's low opinion of CS. While certainly not an awful film, it's soap opera stereotypes were solidly aimed at a target audience and the film sacrificed huge chunks of dance reality to sell tickets.  I thought the walk-out/suprise replacement was ridiculous, exceeded only by the motorcycle/mattress de deux. One of the biggest problems was it had the wrong Director: Nicholas Hytner is primarily a West End/Broadway Stage Director; had a quirky (and very "stagey") artistic hit with "Madness of King George", then a sitcom-like "Object of My Desire" (also written by a playwright: Wendy Wasserstein)  Then Center Stage.
Huh?  What in the name of  Billy Wilder made them choose this guy to direct?  He's a journeyman film director at best and I thought it showed. (Some earnest acting and good dancing were  exceptions)

BTW: Watch "Mr Holland's Opus" with musicians and you'll get the same cringing reaction. Especially embarrassing is the clarinet practice scene where he ties to get her over "the break", and she's not even near it, nevermind over it. Reed players will know what I mean. What a mess...even worse than CS, I think.

Anyway, brace yourselves: a real film director, Robert Altman, starts shooting  his film The Company with the Joffrey in October.

Don't let me down, Bobby...

[Watermill]

Say Old Fashioned, you might have a good idea.  What about a film "based" on the SF/MrB story, but with no dancing, just an exploration of the characters. (Including Mrs F, Paul M, etc)
There certainly was a enough drama to make a movie.
Start writing that screenplay!

Watermill

[Old Fashioned]

Thank you, LMCtech.  If I ever have a career in film directing, I know exactly who's life I would base my ballet movie on...  Although there is already an amazing documentary, I think a full blown movie would be much more entertaining and  reach a larger audience, and there will definitely be more dancing.  Eh- good dancing.

[Old Fashioned]

Hopefully my movie (haha, can't believe I'm talking like I'm positive it's going to happen) won't be too "Hollywood," or as you put it, "Follywood."  I'm looking more into creating independent films that reach far deeper than the surface of things.  I don't doubt it will be possible to capture Suzanne Farrell in a nutshell of a movie, since I consider film making an art that in itself should be able to do anything (did that make any sense?  I'm not the best with words:().  Of course it will be difficult, though, and I will have to pull out all my resources and knowledge to accomplish something like this.  Sorry if you don't want to see a Farrell movie or if you don't think anyone can do it, but I'm willing to try.

[Old Fashioned]

There is no way I'm expecting a clone of Suzanne Farrell to show up on my doorstep, or for anyone else to expect me to find one of her (I mean, it is  her) .  The only thing I want is someone who can portray her well, and it doesn't even have to be about how well she can dance.  That's what actors and actresses (good ones, at least) are supposed to be all about, right?  The actress should be a ballet dancer, but I am not looking for her to duplicate Farrell's style- impossible.  I may not even show the actress dancing- maybe just in simple classes and rehearsals and such.  

I have a long time to think about my "career," considering I'm still in grade school.  My mind will probably change at some point or another as I develop more of an understanding of this type of thing, but for now, this is the path that I would like to take.

[Old Fashioned]

LeClercq would probably make an interesting person to do a biopic on, but I don't know much about her.  The only dancer that lead a dramatic life off the stage I'm familiar with is Farrell, so that's why I chose her as a subject for a movie.  If there is anyone else I should look up, please feel free to give me suggestions...

[JewelTutu]

I absolutely loved Center Stage, it was a bit cheesy, but hey, it's eye candy, and who doesn't love that!?!  LOL