Watch Dancers

Dancers is a 1987 drama film that stars the renowned ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, alongside Alessandra Ferri and Leslie Browne. The movie was directed by Herbert Ross and written by Ross and Tony Bill. The plot revolves around Sergei (Baryshnikov), a talented Russian ballet dancer who is trying to come to terms with his disillusionment with the rigid structure and stifling limitations of the Soviet ballet world.

The movie opens in Moscow, where Sergei is performing as the lead dancer in a classic ballet production. However, he feels trapped by the traditional repertoire and the bureaucracy that governs the ballet company. He decides to defect to the West, taking advantage of a ballet tour that takes him to London. There he meets Lisa, played by Ferri, another Russian dancer who shares his passion for the art of dancing. They both feel a deep connection and start a passionate love affair, but their relationship is complicated by Sergei’s feelings of guilt and confusion over his defection.

As they continue to dance together, they discover new ways of expressing themselves and explore new forms of modern classical dance. Their artistic collaboration helps them discover the freedom of self-expression that they were denied in Soviet Russia. While they enjoy their newfound liberty, both Sergei and Lisa are haunted by their pasts and the temptation to go back to their home country.

Leslie Browne plays Tish, an American ballerina who has been dancing in London for several years. She befriends both Sergei and Lisa, offering them a different perspective on the world of ballet, and helps Sergei find an outlet for his creative energy. Tish is the voice of reason in a movie that examines the way that the power of ballet can sometimes become a prison for its performers.

The movie is visually stunning, thanks to the combination of the beautiful and graceful dancing of Baryshnikov and Ferri, and the cinematography of David Watkin. The dance sequences are masterfully choreographed by Twyla Tharp, whose contemporary style gave the movie a fresh and modern feel.

Dancers explores themes within the world of ballet, including the pressure to conform to traditional techniques and the internal struggles that can come along with artistic expression. The movie celebrates the passion and dedication that dancers put into their art without sugarcoating the personal struggles and conflicts that can arise from it.

The movie’s strongest point is the chemistry between Baryshnikov and Ferri, who complement each other brilliantly. Their complex relationship is the backbone of the film, and the subtlety of their performances and the intensity of their dance scenes reflect the depth of their characters’ feelings.

Overall, Dancers is an emotionally resonant drama that explores the meaning of modern classical dance and the price that artists often pay for their passion. The film is a tribute to the power of creative expression and the sacrifices dancers make to bring beauty into the world. It is a testament to the skill and dedication of everyone involved in the world of ballet and an intimate insight into one of the most talented performers of the era.

Dancers is a 1987 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.5.