White Crow
The story of Rudolf Nureyev's defection to the West. It is inspired by the book Rudolf Nureyev: The Life by Julie Kavanagh.
Director:
Ralph Fiennes
Cast:
Oleg Ivenko, Ralph Fiennes, Louis Hofmann
Screenplay:
David Hare (screenplay), Julie Kavanagh (Inspired by her book: "Rudolf Nureyev: The Life")
Screening Date:
Apr 13, 2019
Studio:
BBC Films, HanWay Films
Running Time:
2h 7min
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60.6% | 30.3% | 9.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
“Loved the film. The use of violin was fantastic. Wonderful to learn of his beginning, his drive and his clarity about his destiny. I would have liked more footage of Nureyev dancing.”
“Maybe the best film of the year and yes, we’ve seen a lot of biopics. What separates this from the rest is David Hare’s screenplay. Wonderful dialogue of course, but moments of pure visual inspiration, cutting from Nureyev as a boy to the painting of father and son in the museum and many others.”
“Great performances and editing, especially how dance was worked into the narrative. Very creative use of settings, photography also very good.”
“I think the film does give an incredible look at his life and story up until he defected. David Hare’s screenplay was wonderful, and interesting direction by Ralph Fiennes with a surprising choice for the role he played. I loved the scenes of his childhood in Russia.”
“Great film, Fiennes superb as a director and what a performance as Pushkin!”
“Other than a few brief naughty moments at the burlesque the film lacks tonal range, it is unrelentingly somber, which - for post-war Russia I can understand but Paris should be a lot lighter.”
“Wonderful ‘50’s wardrobes and outfits. Makes me want to watch Mrs. Maisel again.”
“Wow! As a dance lover I really enjoyed this film. The screenplay was well done. The use of flashbacks in black and white were great! Fiennes is in the category of a master storyteller. Thanks for The Muppets extra.”
“As a ballet lover I was mesmerized! Made by true ballet aficionados.”
“I completely enjoyed this movie, the look of it, the sound of it, the stories of one’s life that shapes one’s life and career. Mr. Fiennes – give us part 2; Nureyev in the West!”
“Maybe some editing would move the story along a little faster, this was a little too ‘andante’ for me.”
“Made me want to go watch ‘Billy Elliot’ again.”
“Beautiful music, wonderful casting. This young man (Oleg Ivenko) was perfect. Wished for more dancing.”
“Wonderful! Everything a film can be. Visually engaging!”
“This was stupendous on all counts. Oleg Ivenko - what a dancer! He looked the part. The editing and screenplay were also brilliant. I saw Nureyev 3 times in Le Corsaire which he performed with Margot Fonteyn. It made me gasp, made the entire audience gasp.” Thank you Jeanne K
“Wonderful! A great story well told.”
“The film just sort of… ends.”
“Superb screenplay structure, the long past, the near past and the present. Sound like A Christmas Carol’”?
“Loved the music. Wanted more dancing!”
