Slavik (34), former world champion in Latin American dancing is making a last and final comeback with Anna, his ten years younger new dance partner and girlfriend. Read more …
Slavik is addicted to the limelight and the dance and he misses the rush. These days, however, his aging body is causing him severe pains, and his flaring temper puts his relationship with Anna at risk. The road to reclaiming the championships is a long, tough struggle. Slavik literally puts everything on the line in his ultimate push for the throne. Failure is not an option, yet failure is so difficult to avoid.
As we witness the rehearsals, the recriminations and the disintegration of their relationship we gain a real sense of the high personal cost for those in pursuit of perfection.
This is more of a ballroom downer, focusing on two international stars of Latin dance, Slavik Kryklyvyy and Anna Melnikova, partners in ballroom and bedroom who are falling out of step.
A shrewd, pointed character study.
Strictly compelling viewing.
More gripping than a Michael Vaughan foxtrot, this is the perfect docu-thriller for the Strictly aficionado.
This film is far away from the cheery talk and slick, sequined glamour presented by Strictly Come Dancing. It's about trying to act with grace under pressure, about experiencing the acrid taste of failure and knowing you'll never again be visited by that heady adrenaline rush of success.
Kryklyvyy’s overly dramatic behaviour really needs to be counterpointed, as the directors do in a funny sequence that emphasises how long he spends fixing his hair before a show, but a latter scene where he breaks down is played straight, and will most likely provoke more (unintentional) laughter. Fans of Strictly Come Dancing looking for their next fun fix should best move along; there’s nothing to see here.
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow from Tuesday January 29, 2013, until Thursday January 31, 2013. More info: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre/
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