Really well-done movie with touching photography, delving into the depths of human nature and the infinite ambition of chasing one's dreams. How much would you sacrifice for your dream?

Sacrifice amidst high-level politics, the cost of climbing to the top while staying true to yourself without losing touch with reality. An excellent film made on a minimal budget that serves as a reminder that more isn't always better. It's simple but direct, and provokes thought and reflection. You will not regret watching it. It doesn't matter if you like ballet or not; the same sentiment can be applied to any other form of live performance.

American ballet dancer Joy Womack fights tooth and nail to be accepted into Moscow's infamously tough Bolshoi Ballet Academy, with the dream of becoming a prima ballerina.

The obvious comparison is to Black Swan. Both films tell of the rigours and trials of training, becoming a ballerina, and then achieving greatness. Only a tiny proportion of ballerinas achieve great success, and this is about overcoming sabotage as well as politics and of course...training harder than anyone else.

Both films show the dark side and the bright side of ballet although arguably The American has fewer dancing scenes.

Talia Ryder is perfect in the role as Natalie Portman was in Black Swan. I totally believed in her dream, I believed in her ability to achieve it, and I believed that inside her she was born a dancer.

I wonder how much of the story is actual fact? Much of it is apparently, including the corruption allegations. This is how great the film was. It has made me question every aspect of it, and research Joy Womack's life so I get to know more about her, and generally have a more positive opinion of how difficult it is to become a great ballerina.

Fabulous film, I gave it a solid 8.