3/5 It's okay
  by R. Martin (Katy, TX)
Love the book. The movie is a bit weak, but sweet. Worth a watch if you're a fan of the book and Emma Watson.

5/5 For all girls young and old who've had a dream.
  by STACY B. (WALNUT CREEK, CA United States)
I had no expectations of this movie having never read or heard of the book. I bought it because Emma Watson was in it and was curious to see her outside of the Harry Potter character of Hermione. She was wonderful, as were all the girls. I loved this movie. It took me back to the dreams I had as a young girl and still dream of to this day. This movie will touch all girls and women of any age. I'll watch it over and over again.

5/5 Albert Miller Review
  by Albert B. Miller (Fortuna, CA United States)
One of the most engaging movies I have seen for a long time is the 2008 BBC production of "Ballet Shoes;" a meditation on creative talent and perseverance. Based on the Noel Streatfeild 1993 novel of the same title set in London in the 1930's, the storyline of the film moves fast and holds your attention to the very end. The dialogue is spirited and expressive. Cast as young orphans in three key roles are Lucy Boynton, an aspiring ballerina, Emma Watson, a promising actor, and Yasmin Paige, a mechanically inclined girl who wants to fly airplanes.
The additional cast of Eileen Atkins, Peter Bowles, Lucy Cohu, Emilia Fox, Richard Griffiths, Gemma Jones, Adrian Lester, Harriet Walter, Marc Warren and Victoria Wood play first-rate supporting roles.
An exclusive interview with Emma Watson -- a charming extra feature on this DVD -- shows her to be a truly accomplished young artist.


4/5 Pleasantly surprised!
  by Robin FM Bird (VA, USA)
I actually ordered 'ballet shoes' because I recognized two of the actresses.
I had hoped the story would be at least 'fair', I was pleasantly surprised!
I actually enjoyed the movie. I was caring about the characters; all of them,
not just the three girls. I was waiting and holding by breath as they were
waiting for news. I saw a family there and I was concerned for them. Wonderful!
Many likable characters in addition to the three girls shown on the cover.

2/5 Misses the mark
  by Kona (Emerald City)
The story opens in London in the 1930s, as an eccentric explorer (Richard Griffiths) returns from his adventures with three orphaned baby girls to be raised by his niece (Emilia Fox), while he goes off on another long trip. As the girls become teenagers, they enroll in a theatrical school hoping to earn enough money to support themselves: Posy wants to be a ballerina and Pauline (Emma Watson) wants to be an actress, but Petrova just wants to fly airplanes.

Adapted from a well-loved children's book, this made for BBC film suffers from a script full of holes and poor direction. We meet a houseful of characters but don't get to know any of them well. Their dialogue is lifeless and lacking in real emotion; except for the wonderful Ms Fox, they merely take turns dully reciting their lines and each scene falls flat.

Emma Watson (Harry Potter) looks nervous and awkward and her character, like the others, is superficial. She's supposed to be a great actress, but this isn't shown; Posy is supposed to be a gifted dancer, but again, we just have to take their word for it. Pauline, the aviator, is ignored altogether. Recommended only for those who enjoyed the novel.