Visually, this is a very pretty film, just really easy on the eyes. The ballet scenes feel real and complete, authentic. This is a movie which makes me want to read the autobiography it is based upon to learn more. - Jenny, a Heartland Truly Moving Picture Award Jury Member

equisite ballet heartwarming true story

I highly recommend this PG rated film for the family because it is inspiring and motivational. It has an assortment of thematic elements such as family life, school issues, culture shock in a new country, pressures of being an overnight celebrity, and the bittersweet experience of first love. The acting was excellent and performed by novice actors and actresses who are real professional ballet dancers who has had some direct or indirect connection to the real Li Cunxin in the past or present. The cinematography was scenic especially those of China. The ballet performances and their respective music scores were colorful, dramatic, and exotic especiallyt the performance of Swan Lake. Li Cunxin and Elizabeth are naive virginal lovers who get married despite society which motivates him to defect to USA and may compromise the lives of his family in China and the political relations between USA and China.

The movie is adapted from the best-seller autobiography of the ballet and dancer Li Cunxing. I enjoyed the movie very much, especially the ballet scenes. it is true that acting wasn't excellent and sometimes the movie was letting you hang in the air but I haven't heard of Li Cunxing before this movie, and I am planing to read his autobiography soon. Movies are not always about taking us from our mundane worlds and put us in to a fantasy world which seems like real to us, it is also about educating us.

one of best this year