As a dancer, I am always disappointed with movies based around the art form. They are usually cheesy or just completely nothing like the world, but recently I watched a new movie on Netflix that actually meet all my expectations for a film based on dance and music.
"High Strung" came out this past April and was not a smash hit in theaters. I was surprised when I came across it on Netflix, but thought I would give it a try since it is about ballet. The film is based around a ballerina and a bad-boy violinist in New York City, and, yes, it is a typically and expected love story. But, I thoroughly enjoyed the unique music and adventure the movie has.
The lead actor is Nicholas Galitzine, a not-well known actor who has only been in three movies to date. But, he is everything a college girl is looking for; a British musician who plays by his own rules and runs from the law. I love that "High Strung" did not just follow a classical route with violin and had the character Johnnie make his own unique music which I found very interesting and enjoyable.
The main actress is Keenan Kampa, who plays Ruby. She is a new ballerina to a prestigious ballet school in the city and she meets this mysterious Johnnie who seems to follow her everywhere. Kampa plays such an authentic ballerina because she really is one. She has trained in Russia and has danced her entire life.
I appreciate immensely that the casting for "High Strung" had a real dancer because the movie highlighted the raw talent of a dancer, when many movies just have actors doing the best they can.
If you are a sucker for a good love story, like myself, then this movie has that too along with the art. The movie does end exactly how you would hope, and expect, but it still has twist and turns that make you want to continue watching.
Overall, I think this film is a good way to spend an hour and a half and it will leave you happy. If you apprectiate art forms and creativity and a love story then watch this movie as soon as you can login to Netflix.
