Good dancers make it look so easy, but...
In watching "The Dancer," I'm struck by how much time and work dancers, teachers, and even shoe makers put into perfecting their craft. "The Dancer" shows glorious dancing in some wonderful performance sequences, but even more important it shows the work behind creating those moments that have so often taken my breath away. I love watching good dancing on stage, but what this film reveals is the endless amount of work it takes to get there... the rehersals, the constant feedback from the trained eyes of teachers, the impossible stretches, and even the making and fitting of the pointe shoes. I'm no ballet dancer, but watching this makes me appreciate the process of beautiful dancing (perhaps even more than the performance.)

Another look at art
I can't count the number of times I've watched this movie. I am not a dancer but a lover of the arts, and this documentary of a committed ballerina is the perfect portrayal of what it means to be blissfully addicted to an artform. Endless tendus at the barre, sewing of satin bands to toe shoes, and aching muscles tell her story in a beautiful way. It starts and ends at the barre, exactly where every ballerina should be found. Admire her diligence and committment, and see what the human body is capable of expressing.

Deep insight into the world of dance
The final credits are running as I'm beginning to write my impressions of this film. The Dancer goes into painstaking detail as it follows a cameo view of a ballerina in the making. This is a film of few words with an emphasis being placed on shape, form and movement. Considering that this is basically a documentary, not having a heavy dose of dialoge is risky. Seems though that this works.

The pacing is for adults. I can't imagine a seven year old wannabe dancer sitting through the whole movie.

Although I'm giving the movie five stars I reserve recommending it. Maybe its because I want to keep this hidden jewel for myself.