Movie Log 2006 #7: The Red Shoes
Know what that one needed? Some diaries.
A common problem with movies where the plot revolves around creating something is that the "created" bit usually sucks. This was a common complaint about Mr. Holland's Opus, for instance (which I didn't see). And the "Broadway Ballet" sequence in Singin' In The Rain is the only draggy part of that film, Cyd Charisse notwithstanding. The Red Shoes has the problem reversed. There's a titular ballet in the middle, and it's indeed impressive. Unfortunately it takes to long to get to that point, the parts afterward are preposterous, the love story is clumsily wedged in there, and the whole thing is populated with thoroughly unlikable characters. But it's about ahhhhtists creating ahhhht, so it's IMPORTANT.