Degas and the Dancer

The HBO Artists' Specials are great ways for kids to get an education without their realizing it---the stories are interesting, there is always a child as a central figure, and the history is pretty accurate. I particularly like the Degas episode, and appreciate the fact that the same actor portrays Degas in the episode about Mary Renault. Perhaps the best part of these specials is that they can be viewed by an adult without completely stupefying them; in fact, they are excellent viewing for any age!

I watched a set of six video tapes in this Artists' Specials series, each about a different artist. This one was the best by far. The others were good but this one was great. I'm not going to recount the story, you can read that in the other reviews (none since 2000) and summary. I just wanted to post that this is a short movie well worth watching and you don't have to be interested in either art or dancing. Hat off to Thomas Jay Ryan as Degas and Alison Pill (all grown up now)- both displayed absolutely top notch acting ability. I saw Mr. Ryan in the Mary Cassatt tape first and thought he was a good actor, then this movie confirmed it. He needs to be in more films.

A short film - just a television hour. The story is simplistic. The dialog is simplistic. The moral is simplistic. However, it does have three overriding assets.

First, it displays the art of Edgar Degas, which is qualification enough for most of us.

Second, even if the lesson it tries to teach isn't new, it does reach to the most glaring and possibly most tragic vulnerabilities of the human spirit: self-confidence, and our tendency to surrender to the cruelty of pretentious criticism. Anyone, young or old, who puts him or herself on the line chasing a dream, would not be wasting the hour it takes to view this film.

Finally, the movie has Alison Pill playing the key part of Marie. Her beauty, art, grace, and glowing spirit will reach to the depths of even the most guarded of hearts.

Most of the time the made for cable movies tend to be a little flat. Kind of like a long television show. But this movie bucks the trend. Alison Pill gives a very impressive performance as the young model used for Degas' paintings. Thomas Ryan also gives a good job playing Degas (although not as impressive as Alison).

The story looks at the creative process in a very understandable way. Most movies that attempt this fall on their face becoming obscure and confusing.

I would highly recommend this movie.

This is a strong short film, showing the relationship between a very young ballet dancer and the great Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. How the young Marie learns through the artist, Degas, about life and dealing with her own self-doubt about her abilities at dance, and how Degas in turn learns about his own weaknesses and strengths from the young girl, with some excellent acting all around by both. Also, some great insights into the subtleties of an artist's thoughts about what makes for great Art, and the commitment and sacrifice involved, and how that commitment is similar to the young girl's discipline and commitment to use her talent at ballet dancing. No matter what other people think. Very well done.