Ballerina

Colour, movement, interesting characters and a story arc that goes from bad to good (with some bumpy bits in between) – that’s what Ballerina offers.

A French/Canadian production, the film is set in late 19th Century France and tells the story of Felice and Victor, two destitute children who flee their Brittany orphanage to seek fulfilment of their respective dreams in Paris – hers, to be a ballerina, and his, to be an inventor. You can probably guess how it turns out.

Elle Fanning supplies the voice for Felice and Dane DeHaan is behind the much-too-deep and unconvincing voice of Victor.

It’s riddled with cliches, but the backdrops are deliciously rich in colour and imagery, with a semi-built Eiffel Tower giving a humorous twist to the classic establishing shot. The dance sequences are quite realistic, though the choice of music (generic pop) is disappointing.

Ballerina doesn’t have the adult appeal of a Pixar, but a grown-up who’s forced to sit through it with a child will still find some joy in it. (RB)

★★★

BY RITA BRATOVICH