Watch Pearl

Pearl is a drama film directed by Bobby Roth and written by Sean Hanish, about a young dance prodigy named Pearl, who escapes her painful past when she moves to Los Angeles with her mother, Maria. Pearl, played by Larsen Thompson, has been conditioned to live her life under the shadow of her mother's dreams and aspirations. She spends her time perfecting her dance techniques while attending a prestigious ballet school.

However, life becomes complicated when Pearl's mother dies in a tragic car accident, leaving her alone in a big city. Pearl is now faced with the challenge to find her way in life without the guidance of her mother. Things become even more complicated when she meets an older man named Father Joe, played by Anthony LaPaglia, who becomes her unlikely guardian and source of support.

As Pearl struggles to overcome the obstacles in her life, she also seeks to connect with her estranged grandfather, played by Bruce Davison. Pearl's grandfather, whom she has never met, is a renowned classical pianist, and through him, she discovers the connection between music and dance.

Throughout the movie, Pearl faces many setbacks, including being undermined by an envious fellow student, played by Melissa Macedo, who is jealous of her talent. However, she eventually manages to rise above the challenges to become the star of the school's end of year performance.

The movie has a lot of heart and emotion, and the acting is top-notch, with Larsen Thompson delivering an authentic and heartfelt performance as Pearl. Anthony LaPaglia plays Father Joe with sincerity, portraying him as a caring and protective figure for Pearl. The supporting actors, including Barbara Williams, Ming-Na Wen, Nestor Carbonell, and Reed Diamond, also deliver strong performances.

Pearl also showcases the depth and range of modern dance, with breathtaking choreography and stunning visuals. The dance sequences are beautifully shot and display fantastic athleticism and skill on behalf of the dancers.

The film's themes revolve around the pain of losing a loved one, finding oneself, and the healing power of art. The message of the film is not overly sentimental, but rather a reminder of the power of passion and dedication in the face of adversity.

Overall, Pearl is a moving and inspirational film that highlights the power of dance and music in overcoming the challenges of life. It's a movie that inspires and educates, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a feel-good drama with heart.

Pearl is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.4.