Étoile (1988)

Director:

Peter Del Monte

Writers:

Peter Del Monte (screenplay)
Peter Del Monte (story)

Release Date:

1 November 1990 (Hungary)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Ballet

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Jennifer Connelly	...	Claire Hamilton / Natalie Horvath
Gary McCleery	...	Jason Forrest
Laurent Terzieff	...	Marius Balakin
Olimpia Carlisi	...	Madam
Mario Marozzi
Donald Hodson		(as Donal Hodson)
Charles Durning	...	Uncle Joshua

Also Known As:

Ballet

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Filming Locations:

Hungary

Company:

Gruppo Bema

Very dull thriller

I have to admit that I wouldn't have seen this film were it not for the fact that Jennifer Connelly is in it. However, in spite of the fact that was the only reason I saw it; there certainly is an opportunity for a good film here...but unfortunately, it wasn't taken. The film takes on a very arty style and it's clear that director Peter Del Monte has a higher opinion of the film than he has any right to. The story reminded me somewhat of the Dario Argento classic Suspiria with regards to it's setting, although the film is not stylish enough to carry off something nearly as good. The plot focuses on Claire; a ballerina who travels to Italy in order to attend a dance school. Upon her arrival, she meets the rather strange Jason who immediately falls in love with her; the attraction being somewhat mutual. However, soon after strange things start happening and Claire gets it into her head that she is actually called Natalie! Thus leading Jason to get to the bottom of the mystery in order to save Claire.

Jennifer Connolly looks nice as always, but doesn't give her best performance in this film. The material is not great and that is certainly a contributing factor, however. The film really lacks direction and it's never clear where it's going to go. This can be a great asset for a film, but it isn't in this case because the film never moves in any direction that is interesting and as such we end up with a meandering mess. The fact that the pace of the film is very slow does not help in the excitement stakes and I'm sure I'm not the only one who was bored well before the film's conclusion. Peter Del Monte inserts all kinds of symbols and points into the film, and while some of them do hit home; most of them don't. I can't say I'm much of a fan of Ballet, but I do appreciate the grandeur of it. The director seems to as well but while the ending borders on being memorable; the Ballet scenes generally aren't used particularly well. I really couldn't care less how the film would turn out and unsurprisingly the film ends on a confusing note. Overall, since this film is very hard to find, I somehow doubt it will find an audience; and only the real hardcore Jennifer Connolly fans should go to the trouble.