Ballet Shoes (2008)

100% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(3,988 ratings)

Emma Watson, Yasmin Paige, and Lucy Boynton headline director Sandra Goldbacher's made-for-television adaptation of author Noel Streatfield's classic novel of the same name. The setting is 1930s London. Orphans Pauline (Watson), Petrova (Paige), and Posy Fossil (Boynton) have all been adopted by… More Emma Watson, Yasmin Paige, and Lucy Boynton headline director Sandra Goldbacher's made-for-television adaptation of author Noel Streatfield's classic novel of the same name. The setting is 1930s London. Orphans Pauline (Watson), Petrova (Paige), and Posy Fossil (Boynton) have all been adopted by eccentric explorer Professor Brown (aka "Gum"), and raised as sisters by Brown's benevolent niece Sylvia (Emilia Fox). Before the three girls get to know their adventurous adoptive father, however, Gum vanishes for over a decade. Though her faithful retainer, Nana (Victoria Wood), does her best to keep the family afloat, Sylvia simply can't keep up with the demands of raising a family, and her health begins to deteriorate. Eventually, faced with dwindling financial resources, she decides to take in lodgers. Those who arrive as household guests include the lively academics Dr. Smith (Harriet Walter) and Dr. Jakes (Gemma Jones), plus curvy dance instructor Theo Dane (Lucy Cohu) and kind-but-pensive Mr. Simpson (Marc Warren). As the nontraditional family begins to see their lives changed by these new arrivals in ways that they never anticipated, Pauline, Petrova, and Posy enroll in the local theater school and set about establishing themselves as stars of the stage. But while Pauline dreams of becoming a world-famous actress and Posy longs to grow into a graceful ballerina, Petrova just wants to take to the sky as an aviator. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 24 min.
Directed By: Sandra Goldbacher
Written By: Heidi Thomas
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Aug 26, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Sep 2, 2008
Studio: Koch Vision

Critic Reviews

Joanne Kaufman, Wall Street Journal
[A] pleasant if uninspired adaptation of Noel Streatfeild's children's classic.
Nancy Davis Kho, Common Sense Media
Sisters learn value of love, work, and sacrifice.
Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile
There are plenty of pleasures in this involving and uplifting tale which the young protagonists aspire to be actors, aviators and ballerinas
Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
While watching 'Ballet Shoes,' I felt like a time machine had transported me to London in the 1930s, then set me in the midst of this wonderful humanistic story.
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
It's a caloric helping of melodrama, but it's rendered effective by the exceptional performances and observant direction by the vastly talented Sandra Goldbacher.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
[A] lovely, honest film about the hopes and dreams of... young women...

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Minor film which wastes its time on three uninteresting main characters when the supporting cast is filled with far more worthy people.
Jennifer D

Cute little family film. Pretty sweet and a little quirky.
Josh L

It was good largely because of Emma Watson. The cast is pretty good all around, though. My main quibble was that the end was so abrupt. The style and set pieces were great and helped the movie alot.
Dannielle A

A sweet story about three orphan sisters in the 1930s with great talent who have to fight to survive and work hard to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. They learn not to be selfish and put others before themselves. Good movie.
Lea L

Ballet Shoes - Dreams do come true.. Set in 1930s London, Ballet Shoes tells the exhilarating tale of orphans Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil, who are adopted by an eccentric explorer, Gum, and raised as sisters by his selfless niece. The timeless and uplifting story revolves… More
Ballet Shoes - Dreams do come true.. Set in 1930s London, Ballet Shoes tells the exhilarating tale of orphans Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil, who are adopted by an eccentric explorer, Gum, and raised as sisters by his selfless niece. The timeless and uplifting story revolves around each girl's struggle to fulfil her dreams: Pauline longs to be an actress, Petrova yearns to be an aviator, and Posy seems born to be a ballerina. But when Gum disappears, the money runs out - and the girls have a fight on their hands. Their struggle to balance personal ambition with the need to survive physically, emotionally, and financially, proves moving and comic by turns.. again not what i was excepting.. i enjoyed this..
Marion R

It was a nice film. It all works out in the end. very conveniently.