Predrag
Enjoy the view of Roland Petit's "Le Jeune Homme et La Morte" and Baryshnikov's famous "pas de deux with a chair" (finally captured on film)as an almost participant, and the two self-choreographed studio sequences of Baryshnikov and Hines with a camera that moves as quickly over, below, and above the dancers as the dancers themselves. Having seen Baryshnikov live several times (once with the Kirov, then ABT, and from backstage wings once or twice), I had no problem guessing the outcome of that ruble/pirouette bet. So glory in the dance sequences and the views of two masters at work, and an enterprising and creative director with a political heart. The music is great (I particularly remember the sticky rhythmic beat of "My love is chemical" by Lou Reed). Despite the obvious age that the picture shows "White Nights" is a beautiful movie, with spectacular dancing sequences, definitely worth watching. Personally to me, it is certainly a pity that the whole story is still as appealing as it was over twenty years ago.Overall, the acting is very good. Quite frankly, the pairing of Mikhail Baryshnikov, Greggory Hines and Isabella Rosselini is reason enough to see this film. Not that I'd recommend it to everybody. Sure, it feels kind of dated with the 80's music. And like every single dance movie I've ever seen, it's a little difficult to take it seriously when the characters suddenly stop their dialogue and dance because the screenplay says "insert stunning dance sequence here". In any case, I have always liked the tension in this movie, the struggle to be free and the dancing as a way to demonstrate all the forbidden thoughts and feelings. Baryshnikov and Hines were great dancing partners. Actually, just the dancing alone is worth watching this movie.Overall rating: 8 out of 10.
David_Brown
I am not a dance fan, but dance is very important to this film, as is the story, and the theme song "Say You" by Lionel Ritchie. The best things about the film are the characters, and the way the film switches gears and tricks the audience (In a good way). These are characters you care about because of the hell they have went through and the best of them is without question Darya Greenwood (Isabella Rossellini), who is a Russian who is married to a black American defector to the USSR (Gregory Hines). You can see emotions written all over her face, throughout the film: Love and fear, being just two of them. Spoilers: As for the trickery you think the story is about 'Kolya' Rodchenko (Mikhail Baryshnikov), an ex- Bolshoi Ballet dancer who crashed in a plane and landed back in the USSR, and his relationship with Galina Ivanova (Helen Mirren). But rather it is about Raymond Greenwood (Gregory Hines), who made a major mistake years ago and defected to the USSR, and is being used as a pawn by Colonel Chaiko (Jerzy Skolimowski), who is great in this film (Second only to Rossellini in the acting department). At the end of the film Koyla and Darya make it to the US Embassy after a great car chase, and Raymond is finally exchanged for a low level spy, Greenwood says at the end: "I'm going home, for better or for worse, I'm going home." You know that it is Greenwood's story, because he is the one who ends up with the girl. 10/10 stars.
anfer
Nikolai Rodchenko (Mikhail Baryshnikov, one of the best ballet dancers) is a famous ballet dancer who tours around the world with his company. While traveling to Japan for a presentation, the plane crashes down and they are forced to land on the USSR. Nikolai had defected the Soviet Union 8 years ago, so he is captured by the KGB. The Soviets want him back to the Kirov Ballet... but all he wishes is to scape. When I first saw this movie, I was 12 years old and I enjoyed it very much. Filmed in the USSR during the Cold War, this movie has a good story, script, direction and the performances are superb. Most of all, the dance sequences were Nikolai and his fellow American dance partner Raymond Greenwood (Gregory Hines, another talented dancer) are rehearsing. Also, the most impressive scene is when Nikolai dances in the Kirov Theatre, in front of his ex-girlfriend Galina Ivanona (Helen Mirren, in yet another great performance). If you enjoy watching dance movies, or looking for a good drama story, get "White Nights". You won't regret it :)
egghead018
I absolutely ADORE this movie. I have seen in originally with my father when I was still young and then many times afterward. Gregory Hines is breathtaking, Mikhail Baryshnikov... well he is Mikhail Baryshnikov! :) The dance sequences are wonderful, the acting is top notch, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire movie. I was appalled when movie renting stores did not have the movie in the US. They had any other crap that crawled out of Hollywood, but not this masterpiece.I think it is an underrated movie, and joins Zorba the Greek, La Strada and America, America in the top movies I have ever seen.I wholeheartedly recommend it. Give it a chance and you will not regret it. I guarantee you will get goose-bumps throughout the movie. Enjoy! :)
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