Ballerina Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An orphan steals a rich girl’s ballet school acceptance, lies her way to success, and then a climactic fight scene atop the Statue of Liberty determines who gets to wear the shiny tutu; pretty sure this isn’t how ballet works, but hey, dreams!

🍿 Ballerina: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Orphan Dreams

In 1880s France, Félicie, an orphan with a burning desire to become a ballerina, lives in a Brittany orphanage with her best friend Victor, an aspiring inventor. They both dream of escaping their mundane lives and pursuing their passions in Paris. Félicie cherishes a music box, a memento from her deceased mother, fueling her ambition.

Escape to Paris

Félicie and Victor devise a daring escape plan, using Victor’s newly invented, albeit rudimentary, wings. Their escape leads them to a train bound for Paris, but they are soon separated upon arrival. Victor finds work in Gustave Eiffel’s workshop, contributing to the construction of the Eiffel Tower. Félicie, however, is determined to find her way to the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet.

Assuming an Identity

At the Paris Opera, Félicie is caught trespassing but is saved by Odette, a mysterious cleaning lady with a limp, who agrees to shelter her. Félicie witnesses Camille Le Haut, a wealthy and arrogant girl, practicing ballet. After a confrontation, Camille breaks Félicie’s music box. When a letter arrives accepting Camille into the Opera Ballet school, Félicie intercepts it and assumes Camille’s identity to gain entry.

Training and Rivalry

Under the strict tutelage of instructor Mérante, Félicie struggles with her lack of formal training. She faces intense competition from Camille and other talented dancers. Victor supports her, and Odette secretly provides guidance. Félicie’s deception threatens to unravel as her true identity becomes a risk of discovery, facing pressure from Regine Le Haut, Camille’s mother.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Felicie (Elle Fanning): A determined orphan girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina and assumes another’s identity to pursue her passion in Paris.
• Victor (Dane DeHaan): Felicie’s best friend and an aspiring inventor who supports her dreams while pursuing his own in Paris.
• Odette (Carly Rae Jepsen): A former ballerina with a limp who works as a cleaner and becomes Felicie’s mentor.
• Camille (Maddie Ziegler): A skilled but initially entitled ballerina whose acceptance letter is stolen by Felicie.
• Régine Le Haut (Julie Khaner): Camille’s imperious mother and a wealthy restaurant owner who opposes Felicie’s ambitions.
• Mérante (Terrence Scammell): The strict and discerning instructor at the Paris Opera Ballet school.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Odette: “Build on this. Feel your anger and your pain and your sorrow and your joy, and put it all into your dance. Live the music, feel it.” – Odette tries to explain to Felicie that her emotions can give her strength in her ballet dancing, that she needs to feel it in her soul and let it take her over.
• Mérante: “I hope that tomorrow you act with a little more dignity. Anyway, tonight was…” – Said to Felicie after she falls in an Irish bar; a moment of grudging acknowledgement of her spirit despite her lack of polish.
• Mérante: “Why do you dance?” – During the climatic audition scene, Mr. Merante challenges Camille and Felicie, wanting to know the true motivation of each dancer.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $24,702,560
• Worldwide Gross: $109,573,511

💥 Ballerina Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed ‘Ballerina’! It’s such a sweet story about never giving up, and the animation is beautiful. I especially loved the scenes where Felicie was learning to dance; it reminded me of when I was younger and trying new things. Sure, it’s a bit cheesy at times, but that’s part of its charm. The Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty in the background add a magical touch. It’s a great movie to watch with the family!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Children interested in ballet and dance.”
  • “Families looking for an inspiring animated film.”
  • “Viewers who enjoy underdog stories with a positive message.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Bullying”
  • “Deception/lying”
  • “Moments of peril”
  • “Orphanage themes”

Professional Reviews

• Animation World Network: “While the story is predictable, ‘Ballerina’ is a charming tale with impressive animation, especially in the dance sequences. The focus on pursuing dreams makes it a worthwhile watch for families, even with its archetypal characters. The soundtrack mostly works, but would have been better with more classical music.
• Common Sense Media: “‘Leap!’ is a feel-good story with a strong message of perseverance, with a young orphan pursuing her dreams. Though somewhat predictable, the spirited animation, particularly during the dance performances, makes it an enjoyable movie for families. Some pop music may not be period appropriate.
• Movie Review Mom: “This gorgeous family-friendly film paints Paris with an incredibly charming stroke. Uplifting theme: Dream big and take action. You are unique. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re nothing. Excellent animation stops and sequences.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the film’s positive message about pursuing dreams against all odds.: The inspiring story, combined with impressive animation and dance sequences, resonated well with family audiences.

The movie’s portrayal of Paris in the late 19th century was visually stunning and captivating.: The detailed animation of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty, created an immersive and enchanting experience for viewers.

Overall Consensus: A charming and inspiring animated film about pursuing your dreams, despite its somewhat predictable plot and historical inaccuracies.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was co-produced by French and Canadian companies, showcasing international collaboration in animation.”
• “Aurélie Dupont and Jérémie Bélingard, both étoile dancers with the Paris Opera Ballet, served as choreographers to create realistic dance sequences.”
• “The film depicts the construction of the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty, adding historical context to the story’s setting in 19th-century Paris.”

🖥️ How to Watch Ballerina?

Ballerina, also known as Leap!, is available for streaming and purchase on several platforms. You can find it on Prime Video for rent or purchase. It’s also available on Apple TV for purchase. Check your local listings for television broadcasts.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Ballerina, you might like these similar films:

• Billy Elliot (2000): Features a young protagonist defying societal expectations to pursue a passion for dance.
• Center Stage (2000): Explores the competitive world of ballet and the sacrifices required to achieve dreams of being a professional dancer.
• The Red Shoes (1948): A classic ballet film about a ballerina torn between her love for dance and her personal life.
• Sing (2016): An animated film that focuses on pursuing one’s dreams.

🛒 Ballerina Related Products

• Ballerina Music Box: A replica of Felicie’s treasured music box, complete with a twirling ballerina figurine and a delicate melody. A nostalgic reminder of the film’s heartwarming story.
• Leap! (Ballerina) Blu-ray: Own the movie in high definition and relive the magic of Felicie’s journey. Includes bonus features like behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and crew.
• Ballerina – ‘Dream Big’ T-Shirt: A comfy and stylish t-shirt featuring Felicie and the motivational message ‘Dream Big’. Available in various sizes and colors.
• Ballet Dance Lessons – Online Course: Start your own ballet journey with an online course inspired by Felicie’s passion. Learn fundamental ballet techniques from professional instructors at your own pace.

🎧 Soundtrack

Ballerina features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “You Know It’s About You” – performed by Magical Thinker featuring Wrabel
• “Suitcase” – performed by Sia
• “Confident” – performed by Demi Lovato
• “Cut to the Feeling” – performed by Carly Rae Jepsen

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Felicie – “I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time” | #Ballerina #edit #shorts

Check out this awesome fan edit of ‘Leap!’ set to a catchy Taylor Swift song! It’s super creative and a fun way to relive some of the best moments.

We recreated this dance scene 🩰👀 #dance #leap #ballet

These twins totally nailed recreating a dance scene from ‘Leap!’ It’s so cool to see how the movie inspired them, and it might even inspire you to try it yourself!

Ballerina Breaks Down 10 Iconic Ballet Scenes | How Real Is It? | Insider

Ever wonder how realistic the ballet scenes in movies are? This professional ballerina breaks down iconic moments, including some from ‘Leap!’, and gives her expert opinion. It’s actually super insightful!

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