User Reviews

It's not that difficult to understand why this entry has so far attracted only one comment and that one negative. This is the kind of movie where you're likely to find yourself asking 1) is there a point, 2) if so what is it exactly and 3) why should I care. Nils Tavernier has worked in an Assistant capacity with his father, Bertrand, on several movies mostly realistic and maybe that is why he has opted for something completely different to put his signature on. For a fantasy dance-filled extravaganza he has chosen to film in pastel so that a fairytale château, period costumes, forests and even a Brigadoon-type heaven where on your third visit you have to stay are all strangely muted. This is a kingdom where dancing is forbidden by order of the King, Francois Berleand who, as it later transpires, is trying to save his wife, the Queen, Carole Bouquet, from temptation. Seems Queenie was the toast of Arthur Murray's in her salad days and lest the memories are too painful dancing is verboten. On the other hand blood will out and their daughter the Princess will break into an arabesque at the drop of a downbeat albeit clandestinely. In all the best fairy tales wherever there's a Princess there's a humble swineherd only a heartbeat away and in this case the swineherd is a painter working on her portrait and her heart on the side. Trouble ahead definitely. Berleand and Bouquet don't do mediocre but you still have to work at it to take anything away. Interesting rather than memorable.