By: debbie lynn elias
Stealing my heart at the 15th annual Dances With Films Film Festival is the short film, LIFE LESSONS.
Written and directed by Maria Finitzo, LIFE LESSONS is a humorous sweet look back on her own life as a little ballerina. A dancer until the age of 18, Finitzo opens the film with titled superimposed over dated, reserved, classic photos of ballet classes set to the single note tinkering of a piano, giving the illusion the short is going to be one thing. But Finitzo quickly jumps into a whimsical perky little short that is funny and charming; especially with some rather embarrassing interludes from a stage mother (based on Finitzo’s own mom). Having seen the documentary FIRST POSITION (which is fantastic) which looks at ballet training from a very serious note and now having this playful take on it, is refreshing and embracing as future ballerina Maria battles both her dance mom and her famous instructor, Bentley Stone. To dance or to dream about boys and bowling; that is the question.
Larry Yando is a scream as Bentley Stone while Peter Mohawk as his assistant Walter is priceless. But take a look at McCoy Noelle Hutchinson as the little ballerina Maria! Great visual expression with the dreamy fantasy sections, playing dress up and, of course, fantasizing about a boy. Perky and such a girl!!!!
A nice seamless visual blend from the B&W stills to glossy starkness, light and space of the studio, to a diffused softer lighting palette for the daydream sequences. Brava! Brava! Encore!
