The White Crow

Name: The White Crow
Genre: Biography, Drama
Released: April 26, 2019
Duration: 127 min
Rating: 61
Cast: Ad, Chulpan Khamatova, Louis Hofmann, Mar Sodupe, Oleg Ivenko

2019

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: April 26, 2019 | R

Starring: Ad, Chulpan Khamatova, Louis Hofmann, Mar Sodupe, Oleg Ivenko, Olivier Rabourdin, Ralph Fiennes, Raphaël Personnaz, Sergei Polunin, Zach Avery

Summary: The story of Rudolf Nureyev's defection to the West.

Director: Ralph Fiennes

Genre(s): Biography, Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 127 min

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Critic Reviews

Anthony Lane

Apr 26, 2019

Structurally, the film is all chop and change, with Hare and Fiennes tacking back and forth across Nureyev’s early years. Some viewers will find the result too fussy by half; I liked its restlessness, and the sense of a chafed and driven spirit that refuses to be boxed in. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Apr 25, 2019

While Mr. Fiennes plays passivity with subtlety, Adèle Exarchopoulos deploys subtlety in the service of quick wit and suppressed passion. She plays, quite beautifully, Clara Saint, the young Parisian who, in real life, befriended Nureyev during his six weeks in the French capital, and then, in the heat of that moment at Le Bourget, helped guide the intricate, perilous steps of his defection. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

May 13, 2019

The actor/director and his co-stars more than do justice to this fascinating moment in Cold War history and one of ballet’s transformative figures. Read full review

Chris Nashawaty

Apr 26, 2019

There’s something about the movie that makes it all feel as though it’s being presented under glass. Nureyev is more of an idea than an actual flesh and blood character. The only time The White Crow truly shoots off sparks is during its dance sequences. For those brief, beautiful moments, you can almost feel what it must have been like to witness a one-of-a-kind artist at the spellbinding height of his powers taking flight. But then the spell is broken, and the crow falls back to earth. Read full review

The Telegraph Mark Monohan

Mar 20, 2019

A serious-minded, often beautiful, utterly heartfelt character study that nevertheless lacks its astonishing protagonist’s fleet-footedness and only partly captures what made him tick. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

May 7, 2019

Aside from the defection scene, the only tension in The White Crow concerns whether Nureyev will achieve the renown he deserves or whether his career will be killed in the crib. That’s not nothing, but it’s small stuff to peg a two-hour movie on, especially one with an unsympathetic protagonist. Read full review

Wendy Ide

Mar 21, 2019

The cluttered structure, littered with brusque little flashbacks, repeatedly interrupts the momentum and tension of the story of Nureyev’s most daring leap. Read full review

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User Reviews

GreatMartin

May 14, 2019

Since I saw the preview I had been wondering what the title was about and it opens with the definition: Someone who is an outsider, unusual, extraordinary, unlike others. There is no denying Rudolf Nureyev was just that from his dancing and his personality. The former captured the worldSince I saw the preview I had been wondering what the title was about and it opens with the definition: Someone who is an outsider, unusual, extraordinary, unlike others. There is no denying Rudolf Nureyev was just that from his dancing and his personality. The former captured the world while the latter turned off and betrayed all those around him. Basically, he was not a nice man. The film centers around the time Nureyev who at the height of the cold war in 1961 was dancing in Paris and made the decision to defect from Russia. This was before facebook , Instagram, twitter and all the media coverage something like that would draw 24/7 but it did with what was available. Along with the defection he partnered with Margot Foynton -- though she has another name in the movie--older than he was, and already a major star in the English ballet, to both their advantages.

Ralph Fiennes directed the movie and stars as Nureyev's first major teacher. The dance scenes are excellent as is first-time actor Oleg Ivenko doing them and conveying Nureyev's look but is not quite up to the line readings though the screenwriter, David Hare, doesn't really help him with some pretty lame lines.

The biggest mistake Fiennes makes is not telling the story in a linear matter but jumps back and forth between the 1940s, 50s and 60s going from Leningrad to Paris back to Leningrad and though Nureyev was 22 when he defected we see him at many different ages which really doesn't add to the movie. The last 20 minutes, the defection scene is edge of the seat filmmaking even though the ending is well known

The movie is rated R for frontal nudity and for a change it is not female but male full nudity!

"The White Crow" is much better than I expected with an excellent cast, better dancing, and shows an artist gives everything on stage leaving nothing for relations off stage.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

risonyeong

Apr 25, 2021

loved a ballet movie, the intensity of the dance and the pose, extreme human body propensity. what was surprising is that Ralph fiennes directed the show. it was aldy a pleasant eye opener to hear him in russian throughout the whole show. what a brilliant person he is, truly talented in allloved a ballet movie, the intensity of the dance and the pose, extreme human body propensity. what was surprising is that Ralph fiennes directed the show. it was aldy a pleasant eye opener to hear him in russian throughout the whole show. what a brilliant person he is, truly talented in all spectrum but almost always below the limelight.
a beautiful film and cinematography. to make it so memorable was the scene in hermitage where rudi stared at the prodigal son. exactly what i did few yrs back, standing position same awe.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

alejandro970

Sep 9, 2022

Ralph Fiennes' mission as a one-man orchestra - to perform, direct, produce - is decorous enough to tell the story of the Soviet dancer and his efforts to gain his freedom. The rhythm with which he unfolds the plot makes it digestible even for those who do not know the art of ballet.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

GinaK

May 21, 2019

Ralph Fiennes has created a very interesting film about a very interesting subject (Rudolph Nureyev). His film is more than a simple biopic, but how much Fiennes succeeds at recreating the life and art of perhaps the most famous ballet dancer of the twentieth century is something each viewerRalph Fiennes has created a very interesting film about a very interesting subject (Rudolph Nureyev). His film is more than a simple biopic, but how much Fiennes succeeds at recreating the life and art of perhaps the most famous ballet dancer of the twentieth century is something each viewer must decide. My one wish is that Fiennes will make another film about a subject that interests him since this film was well worth seeing and I am eager to see his next.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

netflic

Aug 16, 2020

In Russian this expression means somebody who stands out of the flock.The movie is a biopic about an outstanding Soviet ballet dancer who fled to the West during the Cold War, Rudolf Nureyev.
He came from a poor family in a medium size city of Ufa, a very talented kid who had to overcome soIn Russian this expression means somebody who stands out of the flock.The movie is a biopic about an outstanding Soviet ballet dancer who fled to the West during the Cold War, Rudolf Nureyev.
He came from a poor family in a medium size city of Ufa, a very talented kid who had to overcome so many obstacles first to be admitted to the best ballet school in the country, then to the famous Kirovsky ballet troupe.

He did not have a pleasant personality but his bad temper was often forgiven due to his extraordinary talent as a dancer.
The movie is made by Ralph Fiennes, a famous actor, who also stars there as Nureyev's art director and a fatherly person.
Nureyev is played by a young ballet dancer Oleg Ivenko. Not only did he manage to convincingly dance as the protagonist but demonstrated Nureyev's controversial character, his desire for freedom and his escape from the oppressive Soviet regime.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

May 27, 2019

In 1961, acclaimed dancer Rudolf Nureyev traveled with the Kirov Ballet to Paris, where he was exposed to the art and opportunities in the free world. While there, he broke numerous rules imposed by his government and was being sent back to Moscow, when he defected. This narrative followsIn 1961, acclaimed dancer Rudolf Nureyev traveled with the Kirov Ballet to Paris, where he was exposed to the art and opportunities in the free world. While there, he broke numerous rules imposed by his government and was being sent back to Moscow, when he defected. This narrative follows his awakening in Paris, but also whips back and forth to his developmental years in Russia. Sometimes the flashbacks are abrupt and without logic to the scene before, but they do provide some insight into his character development. Dancer Oleg Ivenko not only handles the acting well, his dancing is wonderful. While there's not much emotional development, the story is still fascinating. The '60s era costumes are especially attractive. In French, Russian and English with subtitles.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

amheretojudge

Oct 15, 2019

So much to do, so much to work on. Art is a game of sacrifice and there goes the head of that very personality.

The White Crow With only three and sincere films out, Ralph Fiennes should be on your list just as it is mine, if you wish to sober up with a film. He has explored variousSo much to do, so much to work on. Art is a game of sacrifice and there goes the head of that very personality.

The White Crow

With only three and sincere films out, Ralph Fiennes should be on your list just as it is mine, if you wish to sober up with a film. He has explored various subjects, heavy subjects in these films. Something that is not usually advised or even dared. Yet, post three successful films- successful as in they're good- Fiennes remains barely high on his skills. And unfortunately that is not a compliment in here. Usually this is a good thing. But as a director you are required to be confident in your material, your characters, your film. And what is at loss here is the attention of the audience. You have to be in command of those two hours as soon as the lights shut down and the magic begins.

What is happening now, is that the audience finds itself promising for a truce to meet the storyline, the characters halfway there. That is not a commute I'd like to do. I say commute because I have been through that road a lot. So why and how does Ralph's film still manages to dance at the tip of its toe, the entire show? It is the debates. The arguments, productive and sometimes just thrilling debates, is what seduces you to do the right thing.

Or wrong thing. It is personally motivated and emotionally challenged. That is all that matters. Ralph has a spectacular way to move the audience. And for a dance themed film you would assume that it is the razzle dazzle show or the textbook training montages that will swoon you in. But remember the seduction in the film is always wrong and challenged. And so it is in the film The White Crow, not the hardworking nor the pay off, but the leisurous time that it spends more than it earns, is the logic Ralph pursues.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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