Incannerax
What a waste of my time!!!
BlazeLime
Strong and Moving!
StunnaKrypto
Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.
MartinHafer
If you think ballet is amazing and one of the greatest forms of art, then are you in for a treat with "The Turning Point". It is chock full of ballet from start to finish--and you will clearly get your fill of dancing. However, if you are like the other 90% of the public, you are NOT in love with this dance, then you might find the film very, very slow going. It's not only because there is so much dancing but because the film is very, very slow. And, because the characters seemed rather unappealing, it's made even worse. Clearly the film is well made but dull as dishwater. Now I am NOT saying that a ballet theme can't be good (I loved "The Black Swan")--but this particular ballet film is just too tough going for the average bloke. And, I can see while SOME on the Oscar committee loved it, I can also understand how it received 11 nominations and not a single win since it's such a niche film with such limited appeal. Not easy to watch if you are me....
Grey Gardens
If you're expecting a masterpiece of storytelling and acting when watching, "The Turning Point", you'll be greatly disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the 2 lead performances are great, however the best supporting actor and best supporting actress are completely undeserved, they were okay, not great. The ballet performances are really good and breathtaking to watch. However, the movie, really feels like a made for T.V flick instead of a full-scale cinematic experience. They're were many other films that deserved a Best Picture nomination in 1977. The film has pretty much faded in the last 30 years, no one really talks about it anymore. If you're just looking for a film that showcases some truly great ballet, you won't be disappointed, if you're looking for something more, you won't find it here.
roghache
I somewhat enjoyed this movie at the time, mainly because of its ballet theme, and it certainly boasts beautiful dance sequences with real life ballerinas, Leslie Browne and Mikhail Baryshnikov. However, the characters are pretty stereotypical and it's all basically middle aged naval gazing as to what life might have been and the road not taken.The story revolves around two women who have chosen disparate life paths, both revolving around ballet. Deedee left the dance company years ago to marry a fellow dancer & raise a family, but now runs a ballet school in Oklahoma. Emma remained with the company and became a prima ballerina, but at the expense of any family life, and her dance career is now waning. Deedee's daughter, Emilia, is also a ballerina. When Emma takes her on as sort of a protégé and tries to advance her position within the dance company, Deedee feels resentful.The cast here is certainly competent. Shirley MacLaine (Deedee) and Anne Bancroft (Emma) are both convincing as the two very different women. Tom Skerritt plays Deedee's husband, Wayne, though I prefer his interaction with Shirley MacLaine in their later movie, Steel Magnolias. The young ballerinas, Browne (Emilia) and Baryshnikov (Yuri)...well, their main function is to dance. Their romance proved of no interest to me whatsoever. I found Emilia's drunken scene silly, and noted another's comment that in a real life dance company, she'd be severely reprimanded for this.This movie has some pretty stereotypical jealousies, looking longingly at the life you don't have and wondering if you made the wrong choices way back when. Years earlier, Deedee & Emma were competing for a lead role in their dance company when Deedee became pregnant & married, leaving Emma with the role and a successful dance career. Now they are both looking back, Deedee jealous of Emma's star career and Emma envying Deedee's family (husband & three children) while she has only her dogs for company. All these feelings are brought to the forefront as they watch the young Emilia at the beginning of her dance career and also romantically involved with Yuri. These doubts and regrets are not uncommon in middle age, but the old career versus marriage & family theme just isn't very original.Also, I found the cat fight near the end between the two women, Emma & Deedee, absurd and merely succumbing to the ridiculous popularity of cat fighting among cinema audiences. This did not add class to this movie (which, frankly, might have been classier) or any stars to my rating.On the whole, it's a forgettable film. The entire glimpse into the world of ballet elicited some interest and the dancing is magnificent. Otherwise, famous cast or not, it's not really a movie worth bothering with unless you're madly keen on ballet. As another reviewer commented, it isn't very involving and there's really no one to cheer for.
jotix100
Having recently seen this 1977 Herbert Ross film, one can't even imagine what was the appeal when this movie was released. Basically, it's a story about the world of ballet and about what goes on backstage. The screen play by Arthur Laurents presents us with all the petty little feuds, roles coveted and not gotten. Ultimately, it's a story about that a sin in the dancing and acting milieux: growing old!The film deals with the long standing friendship of DeeDee and Emma. DeeDee has left the ballet company when she became pregnant. Emma goes to shine as the prima ballerina who gets all the honor and accolades. DeeDee is fulfilled with a family of her own, whereas Emma is lonely and desperate. The 'turning point' comes at the end when DeeDee and Emma square their differences in one of the most hilarious moments of the movie.Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft have great moments in the film. It's always a great fun to watch both of these actresses by themselves, so it's even better watching them together. The rest of the cast includes Tom Skerritt, Martha Scott, Leslie Browne, Anthony Zerbe, Mikhail Baryshnikov and great moments of ballet magic.
