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Birds of Paradise

Play trailer 2:02 Poster for Birds of Paradise R 2021 1h 53m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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65% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 38% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Kate Sanders is an ambitious and gifted, if tomboyish, aspiring ballerina from Virginia who, because of her low-income status, is given a scholarship to attend a prestigious ballet school in Paris, France. Upon arriving at the cutthroat, internationally-renowned institution, her confidence and emotional fortitude are tested by a beautiful, mysterious fellow dancer, Marine Durand, who recently lost her brother (and dance partner) to suicide. While confrontational at first, Kate and Marine’s relationship evolves into an emotionally-charged, competitive union beset by lies, sexual awakening and, ultimately, emotional breakthrough as they risk everything to win the school’s ultimate prize: a contract to join the Opéra national de Paris.
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Birds of Paradise

Critics Reviews

View All (31) Critics Reviews
Heather Hogan Autostraddle Birds of Paradise is a fine little lesbian diversion for a moody day. Worst case, you'll remember how good Diana Silvers is in Booksmart and watch that again. Nov 2, 2021 Full Review Tim Cogshell FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles) The dancers are very good, and Jacqueline Bisset playing that devil -- she was absolutely outstanding. Sep 29, 2021 Full Review Amy Nicholson FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles) High class trash... It is a film that you don't necessarily feel proud of yourself for enjoying as much as you do. Sep 29, 2021 Full Review Ruth Maramis FlixChatter Film Blog The visual flair + bizarre dance sequences are quite fun to watch, and the two young leads are terrific, but the film further perpetuates the notion that ballet is creepy and filled with terror. Rated: 3/5 Feb 23, 2023 Full Review Jason Flatt But Why Tho? A Geek Community Birds of Paradise is not a straightforward relationship between its main characters, but neither is any dynamic between two teenagers. Rated: 8.5/10 Jan 16, 2023 Full Review John McDonald Australian Financial Review By the end it feels like an episode of Project Runway. Nov 10, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (20) audience reviews
Emily P A complex film, noticably misunderstood by many reviewers. It is undeniable that depite being arguably distasteful, the subplots of suggested lesbianism and incest make the movie more intriguing. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/09/24 Full Review Sam N Honestly I don't know what to say - the entire worm-eating club was trippy and not in a good way. The "last to stop dancing" off was obscure and added nothing to the plot other than declaring competitiveness between the girls, which is already heavily covered throughout the film as it is the entire goal of the ballet school, force competition between teenagers. The conflict between the two girls was over unreasonably quick. I came for the lesbian implications but it was more of a "let's almost kiss to turn a straight guy on" and "maybe I committed incest with my brother," which are both tropes I tend to stay away from. I enjoyed the whole "ruining yourself and your personal relationships for success/fame" theme of the conclusion/epilogue but it was otherwise quite confusing. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 06/12/24 Full Review Alica K Nice visuals. Too slow for me. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 05/22/24 Full Review Steve D A mixed bag trying a bit too much to shock but more good here than bad. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/20/23 Full Review Cees T Annoying drama that's still boring at 6x. 4/10 - Very bad. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 10/14/23 Full Review Fun and sexy but a bit shallow and underdeveloped. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Birds of Paradise

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Movie Info

Synopsis Kate Sanders is an ambitious and gifted, if tomboyish, aspiring ballerina from Virginia who, because of her low-income status, is given a scholarship to attend a prestigious ballet school in Paris, France. Upon arriving at the cutthroat, internationally-renowned institution, her confidence and emotional fortitude are tested by a beautiful, mysterious fellow dancer, Marine Durand, who recently lost her brother (and dance partner) to suicide. While confrontational at first, Kate and Marine’s relationship evolves into an emotionally-charged, competitive union beset by lies, sexual awakening and, ultimately, emotional breakthrough as they risk everything to win the school’s ultimate prize: a contract to join the Opéra national de Paris.
Director
Sarah Adina Smith
Screenwriter
Sarah Adina Smith
Production Co
Anonymous Content, Everything Is Everything
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 24, 2021
Runtime
1h 53m
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