Birds of Paradise
Birds of Paradise

Movie spotlight

Birds of Paradise

2021
Movie
113 min
English

Two dancers at an elite ballet academy in Paris must compete for a contract to join the highly coveted Opéra National de Paris as they confront their competitive nature, sexual awakenings and how far they would go to win.

Insights

IMDb5.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes45%
Metacritic43/100
Google Users53%
Director: Sarah Adina SmithGenres: Drama, Romance, Thriller

Plot Summary

Two young dancers, Marine and Kate, are rivals at a prestigious ballet academy in Paris. They both pursue a coveted spot in the company, but their ambition leads to a dangerous obsession. As their rivalry intensifies, secrets and betrayals come to light, pushing them to their physical and emotional limits.

Critical Reception

Birds of Paradise received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised its intense atmosphere and performances, particularly from Dever and Bhatt, others found the plot to be predictable and underdeveloped. The film's exploration of ambition and rivalry was noted, but its execution was seen as uneven by many.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually striking with strong lead performances.

  • The plot, while ambitious, often feels underdeveloped and predictable.

  • Explores themes of rivalry and obsession effectively but unevenly.

Google audience: Audience reviews generally reflect the critical sentiment, with many appreciating the acting and visual style but finding the story lacking in depth and originality. Some viewers felt the film was too dark or intense, while others enjoyed the dramatic elements.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on location in Budapest, Hungary, and utilized several historic theaters and ballet studios to create the authentic atmosphere of a prestigious European dance academy.

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