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Friday, January 12, 2024

WHITE NIGHTS (1985)

‘Pitchable’ story with ‘kitschable’ execution, reactions to Taylor Hackford’s Ballet vs Tap Cold War ‘suspenser’ may vary.  World-famous ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, long defected to the States, crash lands in Mother Russia where American tap dance defector Gregory Hines is assigned as his ‘minder.’  Can these two work thru their differences and get out of the USSR?  A classic Mutt & Jeff duo (one short & solid/one tall & lanky) each get establishing solos: Baryshnikov to Roland Petit’s gymnastically banal ‘Young Man & Death’ (as if Hammer Films choreographed PETRUSHKA) and Hines as the Sportin’ Life of your dreams, the sole Black in a Siberian ‘bus-n-truck’ PORGY AND BESS.*  Jerzy Skolimowski plays watchful Ruskie gatekeper; Isabella Rossellini Hines’s wife; a shockingly young Helen Mirren Bary’s ballet ‘ex’ (nearing 40, you’ll see why Hackford proposed on the spot); and a tiresome Geraldine Page as Mikhail’s dowager manager.  Nicely faked Russian atmosphere and real second-unit stuff from St. Petersburg, well-matched by cinematographer David Watkins to his usual impeccable standards while Hackford somehow manages to blow two endings.  Still, the film, and its frequent dance interludes (including a delayed challenge routine), develops a certain swing.  Just be prepared to park your brain at pivotal moments.

SCREWY THOUGHT OF THE DAY/CONTEST:  Thirty-seven at the time, Baryshnikov is amazingly fit, doesn’t overplay, has charm by the buckets & a photo-ready asymmetrical face.  Yet, like so many ballet stars, only made sporadic contact with the movies.  Exceptions to this rule?  Convince us to win a WriteUp of a streamable film of your choice.

DOUBLE-BILL/LINK:  *Check out the original PORGY & BESS Sportin’ Life, John Bubbles, in a rare film appearance near the end of Vincente Minnelli’s CABIN IN THE SKY/’42.  https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2008/05/cabin-in-sky-1943.html

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