VideoDetective.com
Ballet Shoes (2008)
Released By: ITV Productions Limited   Rating: PG   In Theaters: 8/26/2008
Your video will start shortly...



More Videos:
Preview Details
User Reviews
Studio: ITV Productions Limited
Genre: Family
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Sandra Goldbacher
Language: English
Official Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/drama/balletshoes/
Theatrical Release: 8/26/2008
Home Video Release: 9/2/2008
Cast: Richard Griffiths, Eileen Atkins, Emilia Fox, Emma Watson, Victoria Wood, Yasmin Page
Published ID: 229688
UPC: 741952654599,
Plot: Emma Watson, Yasmin Paige, and Lucy Boynton headline director Sandra Goldbacher's made-for-television adaptation of author Noel Streatfield's classic novel of the same name. The setting is 1930s London. Orphans Pauline (Watson), Petrova (Paige), and Posy Fossil (Boynton) have all been adopted by eccentric explorer Professor Brown (aka Gum), and raised as sisters by Brown's benevolent niece Sylvia (Emilia Fox). Before the three girls get to know their adventurous adoptive father, however, Gum vanishes for over a decade. Though her faithful retainer, Nana (Victoria Wood), does her best to keep the family afloat, Sylvia simply can't keep up with the demands of raising a family, and her health begins to deteriorate. Eventually, faced with dwindling financial resources, she decides to take in lodgers. Those who arrive as household guests include the lively academics Dr. Smith (Harriet Walter) and Dr. Jakes (Gemma Jones), plus curvy dance instructor Theo Dane (Lucy Cohu) and kind-but-pensive Mr. Simpson (Marc Warren). As the nontraditional family begins to see their lives changed by these new arrivals in ways that they never anticipated, Pauline, Petrova, and Posy enroll in the local theater school and set about establishing themselves as stars of the stage. But while Pauline dreams of becoming a world-famous actress and Posy longs to grow into a graceful ballerina, Petrova just wants to take to the sky as an aviator. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
It's okay
Added 10/4/2009

Love the book. The movie is a bit weak, but sweet. Worth a watch if you're a fan of the book and Emma Watson.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
For all girls young and old who've had a dream.
Added 9/5/2009

I had no expectations of this movie having never read or heard of the book. I bought it because Emma Watson was in it and was curious to see her outside of the Harry Potter character of Hermione. She was wonderful, as were all the girls. I loved this movie. It took me back to the dreams I had as a young girl and still dream of to this day. This movie will touch all girls and women of any age. I'll watch it over and over again.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Albert Miller Review
Added 8/22/2009

One of the most engaging movies I have seen for a long time is the 2008 BBC production of "Ballet Shoes;" a meditation on creative talent and perseverance. Based on the Noel Streatfeild 1993 novel of the same title set in London in the 1930's, the storyline of the film moves fast and holds your attention to the very end. The dialogue is spirited and expressive. Cast as young orphans in three key roles are Lucy Boynton, an aspiring ballerina, Emma Watson, a promising actor, and Yasmin Paige, a mechanically inclined girl who wants to fly airplanes.
The additional cast of Eileen Atkins, Peter Bowles, Lucy Cohu, Emilia Fox, Richard Griffiths, Gemma Jones, Adrian Lester, Harriet Walter, Marc Warren and Victoria Wood play first-rate supporting roles.
An exclusive interview with Emma Watson -- a charming extra feature on this DVD -- shows her to be a truly accomplished young artist.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Pleasantly surprised!
Added 8/10/2009

I actually ordered 'ballet shoes' because I recognized two of the actresses.
I had hoped the story would be at least 'fair', I was pleasantly surprised!
I actually enjoyed the movie. I was caring about the characters; all of them,
not just the three girls. I was waiting and holding by breath as they were
waiting for news. I saw a family there and I was concerned for them. Wonderful!
Many likable characters in addition to the three girls shown on the cover.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Misses the mark
Added 7/12/2009

The story opens in London in the 1930s, as an eccentric explorer (Richard Griffiths) returns from his adventures with three orphaned baby girls to be raised by his niece (Emilia Fox), while he goes off on another long trip. As the girls become teenagers, they enroll in a theatrical school hoping to earn enough money to support themselves: Posy wants to be a ballerina and Pauline (Emma Watson) wants to be an actress, but Petrova just wants to fly airplanes.

Adapted from a well-loved children's book, this made for BBC film suffers from a script full of holes and poor direction. We meet a houseful of characters but don't get to know any of them well. Their dialogue is lifeless and lacking in real emotion; except for the wonderful Ms Fox, they merely take turns dully reciting their lines and each scene falls flat.

Emma Watson (Harry Potter) looks nervous and awkward and her character, like the others, is superficial. She's supposed to be a great actress, but this isn't shown; Posy is supposed to be a gifted dancer, but again, we just have to take their word for it. Pauline, the aviator, is ignored altogether. Recommended only for those who enjoyed the novel.

1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
Ballet Shoes Review
Added 10/28/2008

Usually I don't like this type of movie but this was enchanting and had my attention for most of the movie. I didn't think of Emma Watson as her Harry Potter Character at all when I saw her in this movie (even though there is another Harry Potter actor in it). I give this movie 4 stars for one big reason and that is I normally don't like "chick flicks" but this one I had to see all the way through.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Photos
IDImageUrlDescriptionCreditCategoryitem_Id
Shopping
IDPriceImageUrlPurchaseUrlIdTypeBindingStore
DVD
$11.49 @ Amazon
DVD
$58.49 @ Amazon