Watch Birds of Paradise

Birds of Paradise, a coming-of-age drama film from 2021, directed by Sarah Adina Smith, chronicles the journey of two teenage girls from vastly different backgrounds, who come together to pursue their passion for dance. Kate Sanders, played by Diana Silvers, is an awkward and shy teenager from Oregon who has just won a prestigious summer scholarship to attend a top ballet school in Paris. There, she meets Marine Durand, played by Kristine Froseth, a beautiful and confident girl from a wealthy French family, who is also studying at the school.

Despite their initial differences, the girls gradually form a close bond as they navigate the intense pressures of the academy, the fierce competition amongst their peers, and the personal struggles each of them face. Kate must overcome her insecurities and self-doubt to find her place in the competitive world of ballet, while Marine grapples with complex issues of identity and heritage, as a half-Vietnamese, half-French teenager living in Paris.

Their relationship is further complicated by the arrival of Madame Wilhelmina, a retired ballet dancer played by Jacqueline Bisset, who is Kate's grandmother and Marine's godmother. She left the ballet world abruptly when she was younger, and now she lives in Paris, where she tries to reconnect with her granddaughter.

The film portrays the intense physical and mental demands of ballet as it shows the girls in various dance performances, eventually leading up to the final showcase, where they must perform a duet together. Along the way, they learn valuable life lessons about friendship, love, and the sacrifices required to pursue their dreams.

Silvers and Froseth both deliver excellent performances that capture the emotional depth of their complex characters, while Bisset brings a great presence to her role as the wise, yet troubled matriarch. The cinematography of the film beautifully captures the grandeur of Paris's city and landmarks like the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the Eiffel Tower, while the rich musical score accompanies their dance performances.

Birds of Paradise is not just a story of teenage ambition, but it's something more profound. It's a story of self-discovery and the discovery of others. It's about how different backgrounds can bond people together, and how similar they can be at the core. It's a coming-of-age drama that eloquently shows the struggles of teenage girls trying to make it in the world while still finding themselves.

In conclusion, Birds of Paradise is a beautifully crafted film that tells a compelling story about the power of friendship and the transformative power of the arts. It's a story about overcoming adversity and fighting for what you love, a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever had a dream. A must-watch for fans of dance, coming-of-age stories, and those who love a good drama.

Birds of Paradise is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 57.