The Turning Point

Enjoyable ballet and enjoyable performances in a decent story that could easily be the plot of a sports film. Old stars coming to terms with their bodies letting them down and the sacrifices they've made, contrasted with the exuberance of new up and comers. There's nothing original or outstanding, but it's done well.

Apart from anything else, this is well worth watching for the dance sequences alone, and, of course, for Mikhail Baryshnikov’s dancing in particular, which really is remarkable. Some of the conflicts and themes are handled in quite an interesting way, but the Leslie Browne character is rather oddly drawn, the Anne Bancroft character is more likeable than the Shirley MacLaine character, and some of the performances are less than first rate.

"The Turning Point" is a journey centered on critical life decisions entwined with the realm of ballet. It boasts remarkable performances by MacLaine and Bancroft, who deliver compelling portrayals of two middle-aged women wrestling with their life's choices. The decision to cast genuine dancers lends a breathtaking authenticity to the dance sequences. However, these novices in acting found it challenging to match the charismatic presence of the film's seasoned stars.

Anne Bancroft really puts her all into her role, however she is severely limited by the film itself. Aside from Baryshnikov's dancing and a few other dances, there is nothing at all appealing about this. When a movie culminates in two has-beens spanking each other and laughing, you know it can't be good.

11 Oscar nominations. That's what this middling ballet melodrama earned. To be fair, two of them were for Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft, both of whom are excellent. And director Herbert Ross pulls off one good scene: a pas de deux/love scene between Mikhail Baryshnikov and Leslie Browne, both nominated, who as actors proved very good dancers. Arthur Laurent's thin, soapy script gives them little to work with; it's really all about the dancing, and if you're not into ballet...tough luck.

Look, what a persuasive effort of writing and production values can do.