Ballet Shoes

Ballet Shoes is a 2007 television movie that showcases the charm of classic children's literature and the world of ballet. The film stars Emma Watson, Yasmin Paige, and Lucy Boynton in principal roles. Based on Noel Streatfeild's novel of the same name published in 1936, the story has been charmingly brought to the screen by director Sandra Goldbacher.

The film delves into the life of three orphaned girls, each adopted by an eccentric archaeologist and explorer, Great-Uncle Matthew or 'Gum', who goes missing after gifting each of them with a name and a future during the Depression-era London. These three girls are named Pauline, Petrova, and Posy, and are ostensibly not blood-related but are sisters in every other regard.

Emma Watson, better known to audiences from her breakout role in the Harry Potter series as Hermione Granger, plays Pauline. Pauline aspires to be an actress and finds herself grappling with the struggles of an acting career, starting off with small parts in plays while dreaming of fame and success. Watson's performance is one to be noted here as she brings the ambitious and headstrong Pauline to life.

Yasmin Paige portrays Petrova, the middle sister. Petrova dreams of flying airplanes and designing cars, she pushes the boundaries in a time when such pursuits were considered highly unusual for females. Her character highlights the message of perseverance and the importance of following one's passion.

Lastly, Posy, the youngest of the three, is directly gifted a pair of ballet shoes by Great Uncle Matthew. Posy, played by Lucy Boynton, is endowed with a natural affinity towards ballet, and dreams of being a prima ballerina. Her journey is carefully woven into the narrative offering a delightful showcase of ballet.

The story evolves around the siblings starting their education at a dance and stage academy. With no funds to support them, they agree to a deal that allows them to attend classes in exchange for performing certain duties at the academy. This change in circumstance was not wholly welcomed, but it sets the scene for a narrative that paints a vivid picture of their lives. Their personal growth, individual struggles, ambitions, complex dynamics with each other, and their continuous efforts to keep the promises they made to their guardian, form the crux of the story.

The movie is punctuated with ballet scenes that add a certain soft elegance, allowing the narrative to ebb and flow seamlessly. Along with the intricately choreographed ballet sequences, the film also does an admirable job of showcasing the girls' acting within their acting - Pauline's theater performances, Petrova playing roles she's not naturally inclined to, and Posy's ballet performances.

The performances of Emma Watson, Yasmin Paige, and Lucy Boynton, combined with a well-written screenplay, create deep, complex characters that are both inspiring and relatable. A heartening factor to note is that the movie does not let the glamour of ballet overshadow the characters' arcs or reduce them to one-dimensional figures. Each girl's ambitions, struggles, and victories are given equal importance, working together to create a rich and layered narrative.

The movie beautifully captures the essence of this classic novel, incorporating a backdrop of a historical period, which lends an air of authenticity. It transports us back to the Depression era, where every piece of bread mattered, every dream counted, and little girls wished to dance, act, and fly.

In its all-encompassing portrayal of courage, friendship, ambition, and resilience, Ballet Shoes is an enjoyable, uplifting film suitable for all ages. Its inspiring narrative and strong character arcs combined with stellar performances and a beautifully adapted screenplay make it a must-watch for anyone who enjoys heartwarming and empowering stories.