THE DANCER

FOUR STARS An American in Paris becomes a belle of the Belle Epoque, influencing Isadora Duncan among others.

Starring Soko and Lily-Rose Depp

FRENCH PERIOD DRAMA #THEDANCER

A young woman raised in the wilds of frontier America discovers an aptitude for dancing, much to the horror of her Temperance movement mother. Thus she does what any good colonial daughter does, and moves to Europe – joining a nightclub riding high in Paris of the Belle Epoque. Fame smiles kindly and before long, Fuller is a sensation whose dances attract the attention of the Opera, the nation and fellow American, Isadora Duncan. Likewise, the fascinating starlet attracts the attention of Fuller.

Fold in the machinations of Parisian show business, the tussle between modernity and classicism, not one but two love stories and the charismatic performances of Soko and Lily-Rose Depp (daughter of Johnny), and there’s a lot to like about this very appealing film. It’s one made even more compelling by Fuller’s stunning dance sequences: they are truly breathtaking for their vision, audacity and simplicity – more so when you consider they were first staged over a century ago. She inspired Toulouse-Lautrec and the Lumiere brothers. Here’s your chance to see what the fuss was about.