Ballet 422 2014

Farran Smith Nehme, New York Post: A delightfully immersive look at how a ballet is created, Jody Lee Lipes' documentary is a stark contrast to the psycho theatrics of something like "Black Swan." Read more

Ronnie Scheib, Variety: Jody Lee Lipes' delightful ballet documentary delves into the intricacies of the creative process. Read more

Keith Uhlich, AV Club: It's rare that movies capture the cumulative toil of the creative process as profoundly as Ballet 422, and the lack of any end-result elation forces some tough, resonant questions with no easy answers. Read more

Peter Keough, Boston Globe: A perfect match of form and substance ... Read more

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader: Aside from the time constraint, there isn't much tension here, or much insight into the creative process. Read more

Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor: The result is a graceful sketch pad of a movie about how the strenuousness of creating art can sometimes yield riches that look light as a feather. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: An intimate and unusual behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a ballet, it may sound rarefied but has enough moments of truth and beauty to engage general audiences. Read more

Ella Taylor, NPR: Where's the excitement? It's there for those of us who love good movies about the process of collaborative work done for the love of it. Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: For dance fans, any glimpse of the New York City Ballet's inner workings is welcome. Ultimately, though, this observational documentary from Jody Lee Lipes feels too much like an exercise in form over function. Read more

A.O. Scott, New York Times: "Ballet 422" is short, vigorous and charming. It's also purposefully superficial, holding a mirror up to the creative process rather than attempting to penetrate its mysteries. Read more

Ellen Dunkel, Philadelphia Inquirer: There are few titles and no interviews or narration. Entire scenes go by without anyone speaking. Instead, Ballet 422 is a very intimate look at the process. Read more

Matthew Lickona, San Diego Reader: The fly [on the wall] is very good at getting access...but rather less good at giving context. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: It's filled with delicious moments, particularly for dance fans ... Read more

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: For arts, music and dance aficionados, "Ballet 422" is a documentary that will speak (and perhaps sing) to them. Read more

Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: At its core, "Ballet 422" addresses a universal theme: The importance of having a dream, and the courage and dedication to make it come true. Read more

Martha Schabas, Globe and Mail: What makes Jody Lee Lipes documentary so interesting - even transfixing at times - is the fact that nothing is editorialized or explained. There are no interviews or voice-overs. Read more

Zachary Wigon, Village Voice: Ballet 422 is more visually sumptuous than most narratives you're likely to see this year, featuring careful compositions that make watching the film an aesthetic experience as much as an intellectual one. Read more

Stephanie Merry, Washington Post: For fans of dance, "Ballet 422" will produce plenty of pleasures. But as with great ballet, great movies always benefit from a little drama. Read more