ianlouisiana Back in the day when we were all reckoned to be "New Elizabethans",Noel Streafield's "Ballet Shoes" was serialised in an upmarket children's magazine despite being over 15 years old. With atmospheric illustrations,you could almost smell the plush and velvet,the rosin and the wooden floors of the ballet school. Principally aimed at teenage girls who today apparently prefer to send indiscreet photos to their boyfriends rather than dream of being ballerinas,this story of three step - sisters living in genteel poverty in a posh part of London touched a chord in many a boy and girl who was taken to the theatre by kindly relatives and had been seduced by the roar of the greasepaint and the smell of the crowd. This latest incarnation features a cast of TV favourites hamming happily away and letting the young ones have their head. Particularly notable for me were Miss L.Cohu and Miss E.Atkins but everybody pulled their weight and gave every appearance of enjoyment. On the "Drama" channel last night it ensured I went to bed smiling and ever so slightly reassured about human nature.

SnoopyStyle Sylvia Brown (Emilia Fox) was a young orphan when she came to live with her paleontologist uncle 'Gum' Great Uncle Matthew. On his many travels, he rescued three baby girls and give them their names. Pauline Fossil (Emma Watson) is rescued from a lifeboat. Petrova Fossil (Yasmin Paige) is a Russian baby. Posy Fossil (Lucy Boynton) is left by her mother with ballet shoes, necklaces, and some money. The girls vow to be in the history books. They take in boarders. The girls get to train in Madame Fidolia's dance school.I don't know anything about the novel. The movie feels stuffed with a bit too much plot. The center of this should be the relationship between the three girls. I would have prefer concentrating solely on the girls especially with the terrific work from Watson and Paige. They're the heart of this anyways. All three are terrific.

richuk-3 It is obvious that this film was made for a younger audience, and as such it is a perfectly good film with a good story and interesting characters that were well acted. Although not being in the targeted age group I enjoyed the film very much too, and it reminded me of the sort of children's drama I enjoyed as a child, it has an innocence and charm which unfortunately could be lost on a modern audience. It was good to see Emma Watson in a film other than the Potter films and I feel it is certain that her career as an actress will give her great success for decades to come. I always find that Emilia Fox gives a credible performance and with the inclusion of Richard Griffiths ,Marc Warren, Lucy Coho and Victoria Wood I would recommend this film to all.

sashalakeside This is such a wonderful movie. I really wasn't sure if i was going to like this movie from just seeing the trailers. Let me tell you if you like films in the Disney type genre you will love this movie , too. The acting is so brilliant. Emma Watson really breaks out of the Hermione role and is magnificent in Ballet Shoes as Pauline Fossy , really wonderful. Lucy Boynton, who plays Posy Fossil the ballet prodigy is spot on with all her lines and delivers two really big laughs. Too funny. Yasmin Paige , the third fossil 'sister' is very good at the intellectual role playing and no doubt we will see her and Boynton on the big screen again very soon. For a few minutes i was worried that the story might turn depressing and end on a bad note but the most wonderful thing about this movie , besides the acting of Emma Watson and Lucy Boynton was that , alas , it had a very happy ending. If u have a big screen TV it really is wonderful to see all the beautiful costumes and vintage furniture , etc.I HIGHLY recommend this movie to anyone who loves a " feel good " type movie and if you are a fan of Emma Watson you will love her in Ballet Shoes. Run , don't walk , to your local video store and pick this one up. My only complaint i wish it was longer because i didn't want this film to end , no kidding !!!