Its Martin Scorsese's favorite film. Its been th inspiration of millions of little girls to dance ballet. Its a film who's magic eludes me.
A couple of things at the outset. As a rule I really dislike ballet. I don't get it. I am also not a particular fan of the directors Powell and Pressberger. Why would I bother seeing the film with two things going against it? because I have been told as long as I can remember that its a great film.
I don't see what the fuss is about.
The story of a girl who must contend with the men who love her while giving everything for her art is on the face of it compelling. However Powell and Pressberger have made a tale that is highly artificial. Yes I know its suppose to be art, but to me great art should seem natural and real, even in its artifice. Everything in the Red Shoes feels unreal and unnatural beginning with the pumped up color. Nothing in real life looks like this. Actually I felt as though I was watching a German expressionistic film but in color, and with out the connection to the heart (the fate of our heroine made me giggle).
To be honest I can't argue about the film on a technical level. Its a brilliantly made film. Its as finely a constructed film as they come. However I can't see past the construction. I can't see anything else. There is no heart, no connection to the audience. There is only the artifice passing as art.
I don't think this is a truly great film in the way that the best films are, I don't think it truly touches ones heart the way that it should. I think its a film that is less than its reputation.
A couple of things at the outset. As a rule I really dislike ballet. I don't get it. I am also not a particular fan of the directors Powell and Pressberger. Why would I bother seeing the film with two things going against it? because I have been told as long as I can remember that its a great film.
I don't see what the fuss is about.
The story of a girl who must contend with the men who love her while giving everything for her art is on the face of it compelling. However Powell and Pressberger have made a tale that is highly artificial. Yes I know its suppose to be art, but to me great art should seem natural and real, even in its artifice. Everything in the Red Shoes feels unreal and unnatural beginning with the pumped up color. Nothing in real life looks like this. Actually I felt as though I was watching a German expressionistic film but in color, and with out the connection to the heart (the fate of our heroine made me giggle).
To be honest I can't argue about the film on a technical level. Its a brilliantly made film. Its as finely a constructed film as they come. However I can't see past the construction. I can't see anything else. There is no heart, no connection to the audience. There is only the artifice passing as art.
I don't think this is a truly great film in the way that the best films are, I don't think it truly touches ones heart the way that it should. I think its a film that is less than its reputation.