A beautifully filmed mild drama. The dance sequences are exquisite. The music grand. However … the “tragic ending” only comes about because the three main characters behave with the maturity and perspective of preschoolers. Not a one of them even PROPOSES a solution to their troubles; thus, in the end, I didn’t really care what happened to them.

Update:

I had a chance to see a 35mm screening of “The Red Shoes” again with my teenage daughter in January, 2012. She expressed similar sentiments but I found that I liked the movie a lot more on second viewing. I found the character’s actions credible in trying to accomplish their goals through much of the film and some fairly subtle but clear and amusing reactions from some of the actors (who are mostly very, very good).

I found myself watching for the moment where it turns and loses my buy-in to their situation. It actually occurs only minutes before the end and didn’t bother me nearly so much this time as there wasn’t really much time given for manning (or womanning) up and dealing with the problem constructively before … well, before tragedy leaves the issue moot.