 The Red Shoes
Introduction: Michael Powell's and Emeric Pressuburger's The Red Shoes is an often stunning work of art. However, it's not nearly as profound as it ought to be thanks to a lacking script. Despite that, it's a gorgeous movie and certainly worth a look. Plot Overview: Victoria Page (Moira Shearer) is a ballerina who lives to dance. She manages to interest a world renowned producer Boris Lermontov (Anton Walbrook) enough to allow her to audition for his company. Lermontov is convinced that no one can love dancing and be romantically involved with another human. When his current starlet announces she is getting married, he fires her and puts Page (a diamond in the rough) in her place. At the same time, an up-and-coming composer Julian Craster (Marius Goring) is hired to make some modifications to a ballet called "The Red Shoes." Lermontov is so impressed with his work that he asks Craster to re-write the whole ballet. The ballet is a hit, and Page becomes a worldwide star. However, the situation grows sour when love strikes her. Pay attention to the story of the "Red Shoes" ballet, because it plays an important role in the conclusion. The ballet is adapted from a Hans Christian Anderson story about a woman who buys a pair of red ballet shoes. These shoes make her dance beautifully, but the shoes never grow tired even though the woman does. She can't stop dancing until somebody frees her of its possessing spirit. Commentary: This is usually considered Powell's greatest masterpiece, which I wouldn't be able to comment on since this is the only movie of his I've seen. However, I do agree that this is, visually, a work of art. Not only are the set designs lovely and often enchanting (which landed it an Academy Award for best set design), but this is required viewing for anybody who aspires to be a director, a cinematographer or film editor. This is a visual masterpiece. Powell seemed to know exactly where to position the camera to garner the most stunning visual effect. In a way, it would seem he was inspired by Orson Welles! Not only is the cinematography amazing, but the editing is also marvellous. There was not one wasted scene; the movie flows like an especially smooth bowel movement. Because I have to be a bastard, I have to take issue with the script. Despite the best efforts of the visual department, the script often falls short. The first half of the movie is not plot-driven at all. It's more of a behind-the-scenes look at how this fictional, world-class ballet is run, and an examination of the nature of the business. I found it interesting, but hardly profound. Our pretty ballerina's conflict between the ballet company and "true love" is hardly rational --- even when you consider that love is crazy. That said, I believe that movies don't necessarily have to make sense to make profound statements on the human condition. But believability certainly doesn't do it any harm! However, the real problem with The Red Shoes is that it fails to be profound. If anything, it is transparent and contrived. Though the final, tragic scene was a beautiful idea, I'm afraid it didn't send my soul aflutter. It seems like it tried hard to change my life, but it was miles away. But the experience of watching this movie wasn't wasted; at least it's beautiful. It's no surprise that the unquestionable highlight is the 20-minute, surreal dance sequence set to the "Red Shoes" score. This section is amazing and beautiful, and it's doesn't even top the more talked-about sequence in Gene Kelly's An American in Paris, which took its inspiration from this film. I also loved the musical score --- I am particularly fond of music in general, and I found this work to be beautiful. Luckily, the Academy agreed, and the score won an Oscar. Trivia, etc. It's shot in Technicolor, which was only necessary to bring the brilliant surreal dance scene to life not to mention give name to "The Red Shoes." It's an early color film, and it looks rather soft and pastel. That's hardly a distraction, though. Kate Bush loves The Red Shoes. She named a song and an album after it, and she was good friends with director Michael Powell until he died in 1990. She mentions his name in a track. Conclusion: I loved this movie, and I also love the idea behind it; I find it terribly romantic. As far as executing that idea, I think the script could have used a good, hearty dose of soul. The cinematography, however, is amazing. This is an engaging work, and it's worth a look. Date reviewed: April 4, 2007 FINAL SCORE: B+
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