The Diaries of Vaslav Nijinsky (2002)
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60% of critics liked it
(30 reviews) -
58% of users liked it
(533 ratings)
To the degree that one artist can bring out the best in another, Nijinsky is an inspired masterpiece. Australian director Paul Cox has not fashioned a biography of Russian ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky (1880-1950), nor is this a comprehensive survey of Nijinsky's influential works. Instead, Cox… More To the degree that one artist can bring out the best in another, Nijinsky is an inspired masterpiece. Australian director Paul Cox has not fashioned a biography of Russian ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky (1880-1950), nor is this a comprehensive survey of Nijinsky's influential works. Instead, Cox ventures deeply into Nijinsky's thoughts and emotions as expressed in diaries begun in 1919, just as the once world-famous dancer began his descent into... insanity? The question is valid, for what we witness here--eloquently expressed through Derek Jacobi's sublime readings of Nijinsky's diaries--are the musings of an artist who lost touch with reality, only to rediscover a kind of glorious divinity in the intensity of his own feelings. Cox accompanies the diaries with his own interpretive dance of imagery, archival photos, and performed excerpts of Nijinsky's dances, all set beautifully to perfectly chosen classical music. As a filmed state of mind, this is a challenging work of art to be savored over and over again. --Jeff Shannon
- Directed By
- Paul Cox
- Written By
- Paul Cox
- Genres
- Musical & Performing Arts, Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- May 29, 2002 Limited
- On DVD
- Dec 3, 2002
- Studio
- Wellspring
Critic Reviews
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Susan Walker, Toronto Star
Certainly no biopic, Nijinsky is short on facts, but long on expression.
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Ray Conlogue, Globe and Mail
Just the labour involved in creating the layered richness of the imagery in this chiaroscuro of madness and light is astonishing.
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Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Those who are only mildly curious, I fear, will be put to sleep or bewildered by the artsy and often pointless visuals.
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Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
Has its share of arresting images.
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Jonathan Curiel, San Francisco Chronicle
Fans of Nijinsky will savor every minute of Cox's work.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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