Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Glimmerubro It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

Guillelmina The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Charles Herold (cherold) When I first heard of this series I hoped it would be an exploration of the arts world like Slings and Arrows or Mozart in the Jungle. And for about 15 minutes it seemed like it might be. The lead actress has an intensity and is a lovely dancer, and there's a sense of her gritty determination and the hardness and self-sacrifice underneath the beauty.Then there's a scene where the waspish gay artistic director throws a fit over prosecco, and I thought, seriously? Then there's a locker room scene where the girls are glib and catty in a way that felt painfully false. But hey, nothing's perfect, and the next scene, which went back to ballet, was intriguing, even if the lead character was falling into clichéd "the one" territory.Then there was a strip club.While some people consider this a fun binge show, I found it a slog to make it through one episode. The show is *so* serious about itself even though it's utterly absurd. Not only is this not another Slings and Arrows, it's not even another Smash, which wasn't exactly a deep exploration of the arts but was at least a wonderfully entertaining musical that felt like it was written by people who loved the world it took place in.I'm not convinced the people who made this series even like ballet. And that's okay, because I don't really *love* ballet myself, but I do love the artistic process, and that's the thing this series seems least interested in. Instead of giving us unique, three-dimensional characters struggling for, and with, their art, the writers give us clichés and sleaze and soap. Yet the direction treats it all like it's La Strada. I don't know why they didn't just make a series about a strip club; it's clear that's where their heart lies.

duaneincali I was blown away by this movie/mini-series. I did not have high hopes but was very pleasantly surprised. Certainly the ballet dancing is realistic. I feel it goes well beyond both 'center stage' and 'black swan' (although those two are excellent also, especially the latter). More than the actors, I would say the direction drives this, as it was predominately rookie actors (excepting the male dance instructor). The episode 'charred earth' was one of the best eps I've ever seen. the reason i was pleasantly surprised was also the best thing in this: the dancing. they finished on a high note, literally and figuratively. this is one of my rare, "must sees'.

Jordan Link I just got off an eight hour binge of this show. I have a lot going through my mind right now. I'm accustomed to sex in shows, but the first few episodes were really in your face with it. It made me feel like I was watching a soft core. Luckily, as the series progressed the episodes began to explore other themes, though sex, desire, and lust remained prominent throughout the series. I did question whether some of the sex plots were necessary, like the plot with the underage girls on the yacht and the plot with Cameron in the strip club. After all, they were both sort of unresolved. I'm also fairly confused as to why they made a big deal out of her being a stiff, unfeeling virgin when she had already had sex with her brother. That was another freaky plot that might not have been necessary.It seemed like the show writer really hated Mia. Vision problems, an eating disorder, and a rape? All necessary? Probably not. Why was the character of Mia tortured throughout the series? To show that a dancer's career is finite? Well, point proved.I have never seen a show like this before. I loved the character of Romeo - he was so complex and deeply interesting (perhaps my favorite). I feel that he needed to kill the brother. I completely understood that. The dance pieces were spectacular. They floored me! Everyone should watch this. Mandatory viewing.

karinlbuckley The show centers around a new addition to the ballet company, Claire, who appears out of nowhere and takes the company by storm. Despite having ZERO personality, we are supposed to believe that the other characters find her fascinating. I. Don't. Get. It. She is as engaging as last week's newspaper.Her "love" interest is in awe of her depth after she manages a few sentences about her love of "The Velveteen Rabbit." Gag. So cliché. She also sleeps covered in books, but I find it difficult to believe this character has ever opened a book, let alone read one.The other dancers in the cast are so much more interesting, it makes Claire even more noticeably dull.