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Amazon.co.uk Review
Sometimes movies are built around a great idea begging for a story, in this case pairing ballet legend Mikhail Baryshnikov with tap great Gregory Hines. The resulting storm of dance in White Nights, as one would expect, is great, but the story is a little forced. Baryshnikov plays (in parallel to his own life) a Russian defector to the U.S. who ends up a prisoner in the motherland after his plane is forced to land in Leningrad during an emergency. Hines is an American expatriate who gets involved with the situation. Director Taylor Hackford (An Officer and a Gentleman) punctuates an escape scenario and relationship dilemmas with as many dance sequences as possible, and the result is a wobbly, unconvincing tale with some furious footwork. Fortunately, performances carry the day, as the two male leads are both very strong as actors, and the supporting cast--Isabella Rossellini, Helen Mirren, and filmmaker Jerzy Skolimowski (Moonlighting)--is terrific. --Tom Keogh
Synopsis
A defector (Mikhail Baryshnikov) and an expatriate American dancer (Gregory Hines) plan to escape from Russia.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I'm a big fan of dance films, and 'White Nights' is one of the best around. Helen Mirren turns in an excellent performance as the faded and damaged ex-primo Russian ballerina, ultimately jealous of Barishnikov's freedom. Gregory Hines is superlative as the dissolutioned American tap-dancer. Isabella Rossolini is charming as his Russian wife. The moments of pure brilliance are of course the dance scenes, set off beautifully against the sinister KGB dominated backdrop of Moscow, as Hines and Barishnokov fuse their two distinct styles to produce some truly fantastic sequences. The film is supported by a decent soundtrack with the likes of Lionel Richie's haunting 'Say you, say me'. It is certainly well worth a watch, even if you are not a dance fan.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I think this could be one of my all time fav. films and i really enjoyed it. Helen Mirren gives a great performance and Mikhail Baryshnikov was excellent. The dance scenes are fantastic and are a great display of the skill of both G.Hines and M.Baryshnikov. All in all i think that it is well worth viewing! =) Enjoy
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I went to the preview of this film in 1985 having won tickets for two from a local radio station. My sister and I went to see it, not knowing what it would be like, but knowing we both love dance, she being a dancer herself. We loved every blessed minute of the film. Ballet meets Tap, East meets West. The two stars compliment each other perfectly. My sister bought this for me as a present, and I returned the favour. It is now a most treasured posession. Even if you dont know much about dance, you will love the story woven through it of a Defector to the west to pursue is Ballet career in a free society. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Some great music too by Phil Collins. Buy it today, you wont regret it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not just for ballet lovers
Although somewhat "dark", this is an excellent film. Helen Mirren as a ballet coach is not particularly believable (which is odd, considering she has Russian ancestry) but apart... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Diana
White Nights
Great movie! Had watched about 25 years ago and never forgot for years. Baryshnikov is great! Years later I bought it for my ballet archives and still can feel great while... Read more
Published 3 months ago by ballerina pavlorina
Dance, boys, dance
Essentially a vehicle for Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines to show off their fine dance skills, this film is a slight thriller about defecting dancers and Soviet... Read more
Published 5 months ago by J. Scott-mandeville
Ultimate dance film
The ultimate dance film. Forget Misha's chump appearance in The Turning Point; he and the rest of the cast turn in superb performances here. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Cherry Radford
Brilliant
Brilliant film, really good story to it! also the dancing in it was really good along with the music too! Even if your not a dance fanatic, you would enjoy this film for the story. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Heather
Two talented dancers
I bought this DVD because I wanted to see old-style dance and tap as I am not intereested in the modern gymnastics based stuff. Read more
Published 15 months ago by gbjbams3
White Nights
One of the best ballet films created. Not much ballet going on in the film, but we sure love to see Baryshnikov in action together with fantastic tap dancer Gregory Hines. Read more
Published 17 months ago by A.P
great 1980's movie
This is a great movie,it has a little of everything...romance,music,KGB spies,and a great rappor between the 2 leads.. Read more
Published 20 months ago by M. Stretford
Fans of Mikhail Baryshnikov
This movie is now being promoted on the strength of starring Helen Mirren, but the real stars are Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2010 by Opinionated Passionflower
Marvelous dancing scenes and gives you a feel for The Soviet Union in...
Marvelous dancing scenes and gives you a feel for how it was in The Soviet Union in 80's, however seen from American perspective... Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2009 by Justyna from Warsaw
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