Two girls at an elite Parisian ballet academy have their bond and bodies tested as they compete for a contract to join the company of the Opéra national de Paris.

Ballet has always been a juicy subject matter for movies given its mystique and elegance, as well as the relentless competition to be the best. The movie centers on Kate (Diana Silvers – who reminds me a bit of young Anne Hathaway), an ambitious, talented, tomboyish ballerina who attends a prestigious Parisian ballet school on a scholarship. Going to such a school under normal circumstances would be tough enough, but Kate has to endure feeling alienated in a foreign country where she doesn’t even speak the language.

Written and directed by Sarah Adina Smith, she’s done an impressive job in world-building that feels believable, so she either has a personal insight into the world of ballet or she has done her research well. The first half of the film draws me into Kate’s journey navigating the cutthroat, world-renowned institution and its students, especially the stunning and mysterious Marine (Kristine Froseth) who comes from a wealthy family. Despite their stark economic differences and a testy start, they end up forming a close bond that’s emotionally and sexually charged.

Now, given both are angst-filled teens living away from their parents, it’s in the rebellious nature that they experiment with taboo things. There are obvious similarities, in addition to its title, to Black Swan, though the psychological thriller aspect isn’t nearly as intense. I’d say this one is more of a coming-of-age story as both characters are still figuring themselves out.

The two young leads, especially Silvers, did an incredible job in their dance sequences, while Jacqueline Bisset is perfectly icy as the academy’s director. Smith displays her visual flair and a taste for theatrics in the dreamy, rather bizarre dance sequences. The overall production quality and set pieces are stylish and vivid, which helps immerse me in the world of competitive ballet.

The eerie surrealism is quite fun to watch but there are a few things that preclude this from being a remarkable film. The overall pacing is uneven with a sluggish second act. The plots are sadly ridden with clichés that, like Darren Aronofsky’s award-winning film, perpetuate the notion that ballet is creepy and filled with terror. That said, the film showcases Smith’s directing chops, so I’m curious to check out her other work.

You can stream Birds of Paradise on Amazon Prime

Have you seen this movie? I’d love to hear what you think!

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