Bonny Henderson

A diverting movie with a particularly strong female lead. I watched as an alternative to the usual Christmas sentimentality. The photography is great and the soundtrack includes a bizarre children's choir. Recommended.

Very well made noir look story based on a true incident. The cinematography, script and acting are great. It is set in spectacular winter scenery. There is a nice touch in referencing the oppression of Soviet era Russia and the horrors of WW2 behind the 1959 drama. It works really well and is an original twist on the usual horror notes: the mysterious stranger, the haunted forest, the superstitious locals, etc. etc. Ultimately it is scarey and entertaining. Recommended.

Okay so it is not the greatest movie ever made and Nureyev deserves a really great movie but it is bloody enjoyable. The film tells the story of Nureyev's defection, a story somewhat forgotten due to his subsequent fame. Oleg Ivenko is marvellous, a beautiful dancer who can act as well, especially good at Rudi's famous tantrums. A friend suggested that he probably regretted leaving the Soviet Union, a comment which surprised me but which is worth considering. My memory of him, wearing a beatific smile at the wonderful Modern Masters' at the NGV (Melbourne, 1970s), was supported in the film. His intense admiration of great art was real. He spent many hours in the Hermitage studying the human body in art which influenced his performances. Ralph Fiennes made an inspired choice to bring that out. Recommended!

It took me a while to laugh at this movie probably because I have worked in a call centre and believe it or not, the portrayal in the film is close to life. When the movie morphed into comical surrealism, it was frankly, a logical progression. To paraphrase one character: If you can't change things you just have to get used to it. Heaven help us!