The Turning Point *** (1977, Anne Bancroft, Shirley MacLaine, Leslie Browne, Mikhail Baryshnikov) – Classic Movie Review 6026

The Turning Point (1977) was nominated for 11 Oscars, but there was not a single win! However, it won Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director – Motion Picture at the Golden Globes.

Director Herbert Ross’s hit 1977 dance drama stars the formidable pair of Anne Bancroft and Shirley MacLaine, who play a couple of dancers living with the consequences of their personal turning points.

Emma Jacklin (Bancroft) is now an ageing ballet star taking housewife Deedee Rodgers (MacLaine)’s daughter Emilia (Leslie Browne) into her dance company.

Even if the drama is not exactly great, it is still entirely adequate. The stars kick up a tempestuous emotional storm and there is plenty of time for Mikhail Baryshnikov’s sensational dancing in excitingly staged ballet sequences.

It is expertly directed by Ross who went on to make Nijinsky, another ballet drama, also with Leslie Browne. It is Baryshnikov’s film début.

Also in the cast are Tom Skerritt, Martha Scott, Marshall Thompson, Anthony Zerbe, Alexandra Danilova, Antoinette Sibley, Starr Danias, James Mitchell, Daniel Levans, Scott Douglas, Lisa Lucas, Phillip Saunders, James Crittenden and Donald Petrie.

It is written by Arthur Laurents, shot by Robert Surtees, produced by Nora Kaye, Arthur Laurents and Herbert Ross, scored by John Lanchbery and designed by Albert Brenner.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6026

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