Watch Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan

Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan is a powerful and intimate documentary film that provides an unprecedented look into the life and career of one of America's greatest ballerinas, Wendy Whelan. Directed by Linda Saffire and Adam Schlesinger, the movie follows Whelan during her final years with the world-famous New York City Ballet as she prepares to step away from the stage after an illustrious 30-year career.

The film begins with Wendy reflecting on the decision to retire from the New York City Ballet after so many years. Wendy expresses her apprehensions about what lies ahead and wonders how she will continue to express herself without ballet. As she internalizes these feelings, the documentary unfolds into a series of interviews with Whelan's colleagues, friends, and family, all of whom testify to her captivating skills as an artist and the significant impact she has made on the ballet world.

Throughout the movie, we get to see Wendy rehearsing for her final shows, which are painstakingly choreographed by the New York City Ballet's ballet master-in-chief, Peter Martins. Peters Martins' is not only Whelan's mentor but also one of the key influences on her professional life from a young age. We see Whelan pouring her soul into the ballet routines as she prepares to bid farewell to the audience. We also get to see her struggle with the physical challenges that come with years of rigorous dance routines and how she constantly questions her capacity to deliver an exceptional performance.

The film also delves into Whelan's personal life. For instance, we see how her romantic relationships and family moments have impacted her professional life. There is also an exploration of her emotional state as she battles with the onset of menopause amidst her busy performance schedule. These personal insights go a long way in endearing Wendy Whelan to the audience, making her a more relatable and lovable figure.

Besides Wendy Whelan, the film also features other prominent characters like David Prottas, a young dancer who has been cast to replace Whelan after she retires. Prottas presents an excellent contrast between an ambitious young dancer with everything to gain compared to Wendy, who has faced the ups and downs of a long career. The movie excellently depicts the interplay and burgeoning friendship between the two. There are also comments from other notable personalities such as dancers Kyle Abraham and Michelle Dorrance as well as several choreographers.

Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan is an incredibly emotional film about a remarkable dancer who has dedicated her entire life to the art of ballet. Through its cinematography, music, and overall tone, the movie manages to capture the raw emotion and dynamic nature of Wendy's final performances, creating a poignant narrative about the transience of life and the power of artistic expression. Moreover, the film's captivating visuals, including the stunning ballet performances, and the inspirational story that it tells should make it an instant hit among ballet enthusiasts and fans of biographical documentaries.

In conclusion, Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan is a touching and inspiring portrayal of a world-class ballerina at the peak of her career, and how she navigates the challenges of fading youth and retirement as a dancer. While it could be emotionally wrenching for some viewers, anyone with an interest in dance, the arts, or simply the human experience will discover this documentary film to be a tremendously fulfilling cinematic experience.

Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 87.