Watch My Dad Is Baryshnikov

My Dad is Baryshnikov is a heart-warming coming-of-age story set in Soviet-era Moscow in the 1980s. The film, directed and co-written by Dmitry Povolotsky, revolves around the story of a teenager,Boris Fishkin, played by Vladimir Kapustin, who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer like his idol, the legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov. However, Boris has two major challenges in his way towards realizing his dream. One is his father, played by Anatoliy Kot, a former military man and a staunch communist who has a deep disdain for ballet, considering it to be a western bourgeois art form that is not suited for boys like Boris. The second challenge is Boris' own lack of confidence in himself and his abilities to pursue his dream.

Despite these hurdles, Boris persists in his pursuit of dance. He manages to get into the highly selective dance program at the Kremlin Ballet School, where he finally gets a chance to learn from some of the top ballet instructors in the country. However, he has to hide his new passion from his father, who still thinks that his son's ballet dreams are a waste of time and money.

As the story unfolds, we see Boris struggling to keep his secret from his father, even as he begins to truly excel at dance. His talent even catches the eye of the school's star ballerina, Lada, who takes an interest in him and helps him to develop his skills. Meanwhile, Boris' father becomes increasingly suspicious of his son's late-night returns from the dance school and begins to think that his son is involved in some sort of secret political activity.

The film's themes of following your dreams, defying societal norms and the sacrifices one must make to achieve one's goals are executed brilliantly through the lead character Boris. Vladimir Kapustin does an outstanding job in his portrayal of Boris Fishkin, effectively bringing out the nervousness, the joy, the frustration, and the determination of a young man who has big dreams but is unsure of how to achieve them. His transformation from a shy, self-doubting boy to a confident young dancer is authentic and inspiring.

Anatoliy Kot is equally impressive as Anton Fishkin, Boris' father. Kot is able to capture the complex inner workings of a man who is hard-headed and uncompromising, but who also genuinely loves and cares for his son. The interactions between Boris and his father are some of the most touching and poignant moments in the movie, showcasing the deep love and understanding that exists between the two men.

The film's cinematography, set design, and costume design are also top-notch, creating an authentic and immersive experience of Soviet-era Moscow. The scenes of the dance school, with its strict instructors and its rigorous training programs, capture the beauty and intensity of ballet, while also showing the discipline and hard work that goes into creating a great dancer.

In summary, My Dad is Baryshnikov is a touching and inspiring movie that captures the spirit and determination of a young man who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. The film is both heart-warming and hard-hitting in its portrayal of a boy who must fight against societal norms, his own lack of confidence, and his father's expectations to fulfill his dreams. Ultimately, the movie is a triumph of the human spirit, showcasing how, with hard work and perseverance, one can achieve even the biggest dreams.

My Dad Is Baryshnikov is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes.