The Company *** (2003, Neve Campbell, James Franco, Malcolm McDowell) – Classic Movie Review 1593

Scream’s Neve Campbell (who also co-wrote the original story and co-produced) proves a surprise super dancer in director Robert Altman’s 2003 gossipy account of the day-to-day life of a fictional ballet company (played by members of the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago).

It’s not much of a yarn, admittedly, but that’s not the point. Just sit back and enjoy the exhilarating dancing, colourful characters and enjoyable backstage bickering.

You’d expect Campbell to impress on the acting front, and she does, as ‘Ry’ Ryan, a gifted but conflicted company member on the verge of becoming a principal dancer at the troupe. Malcolm McDowell makes a camp and hammy four-course meal of his best role in ages as the waspish company co-founder and artistic director, Alberto Antonelli, one of America’s most exciting choreographers. But the well-cast and charming James Franco has a hard task with a poorly-sketched role as Campbell’s love interest, Josh, who’s unconnected with the dance world.

It helps enormously that this insiders’ look at the world of ballet is made with the complete cooperation of the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago and many of their dancers, even if they didn’t allow their name to be used as the film’s ballet company.

Altman made one more film, A Prairie Home Companion (2006), before his death on November 20, 2006, aged 81.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1593

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com/