Carmen and Geoffrey (2004)

90% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(588 ratings)

Filmmakers Linda Atkinson and Nick Doob present this affectionate portrait of dance icons Carmen de Lavallade and Geoffrey Holder, who fell in love back in 1954, and quickly went on to become a New York institution. The year they first met, de Lavallade was making a name for herself in modern dance,… More Filmmakers Linda Atkinson and Nick Doob present this affectionate portrait of dance icons Carmen de Lavallade and Geoffrey Holder, who fell in love back in 1954, and quickly went on to become a New York institution. The year they first met, de Lavallade was making a name for herself in modern dance, and Holder was a respected painter and dancer from Jamaica who had just risen to fame as the world-renowned choreographer of The Wiz. A marriage proposal quickly followed, and 50 years later the couple is still setting the world on fire. Archival footage and candid interviews offer a glimpse into the remarkable lives of the two consummate professionals who never let fame get in the way of true love. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 19 min.
Directed By: Linda Atkinson, Nick Doob
Genres: Documentary, Musical & Performing Arts, Special Interest

In Theaters: Mar 13, 2009 Wide
On DVD: Jul 21, 2009
Studio: First Run Features

Critic Reviews

Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
One doesn't have to be a dance aficionado to be drawn to this film, but if you are, Lavallade's observations about the difficult work of dance -- and choreography -- are as poetic as they are illuminating.
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com
Laugh if you want to, but this movie is a joyful celebration of the possibilities of love, the possibilities of blackness, the possibilities of America, and the possibilities of the human spirit. It's a tremendous tonic for dark times.
Ronnie Scheib, Variety
Proves too slight to encompass the innovative artistry of its celebrated subjects...could still wow cognoscenti and philistines alike.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Both subjects are interviewed at length, and the filmmakers have unearthed some rare, arresting black-and-white dance footage from the '50s and '60s.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Leaves you wondering why its subjects are not widely recognized as national treasures.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
Linda Atkinson and Nick Doob's Carmen & Geoffrey is one of the most revelatory dance films I have ever seen.
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
A fitting tribute to a pair of extraordinary overachievers and as a touching portrait of over a half century of black-on-black love and of lives very well lived.
Kam Williams, Sly Fox
A fitting tribute to a pair of extraordinary overachievers and as a touching portrait of over a half century of black-on-black love and of lives very well lived.
Jennifer Merin, About.com
Carmen & Geoffrey presents spectacular performances combined with remarkably intimate interviews that reveal the hearts, souls and techniques of two of America's master dancers.
Robert Levin, Critic's Notebook
The first battle to be fought in making a documentary is to pick a compelling subject; the filmmakers have two.
Nora Lee Mandel, Film-Forward.com
Extraordinary film clips are must-sees for any dance fan and emphasize the extraordinary breadth of their artistry.
Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
Mostly compelling, warm and lively, but ultimately deficient in truly profound revelations or insights.
Maitland McDonagh, Miss FlickChick
It's a shame the film isn't more artful, but an imperfect look at [the] accomplished, unpretentious [dancer/choreographers Carmen de Lavallade and Geoffrey Holder] is better than none at all.
David Noh, Film Journal International
A scruffily informal yet wholly charming documentary portrait of an endlessly entrancing New York artistic couple.
Anna King, Time Out New York
Given that Carmen and Geoffrey focuses on two of the most innovative figures of African-American modern dance -- Carmen de Lavallade and Geoffrey Holder -- it's a shame that this film is both uncreative and technically maladroit.
Phil Hall, Film Threat
By the film's end, one feels glad to have made their cinematic acquaintance.
Joseph Jon Lanthier, Slant Magazine
An intertwined video history of dancers Geoffrey Holder and Carmen De Lavallade that uses their devoted conjugal relationship as the whisper of a narrative arc.

Read all 17 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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

No Featured Audience Ratings Found…

Cast

See full cast

Photos

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started