White Nights
After his plane crashes in Siberia, a Russian dancer, who defected to the West, is held prisoner in the Soviet Union. The KGB keeps him under watch and tries to convince him to become a dancer for the Kirov Academy of Ballet again. Determined to escape, he befriends a black American expatriate and his pregnant Russian wife, who agree to help him escape to the American Embassy.
Critics Sentiment
Baryshnikov and Hines perform their dancing duet together
Nikolai confronts painful memories of his defection and erasure
The film jumps dramatically from Nikolai's painful confrontation with his past to Baryshnikov's passionate solo dance sequence, rising 3 points.
White Nights receives mixed but generally positive reception, with universal praise for the spectacular dance sequences featuring Baryshnikov and Hines, while the Cold War plot is criticized as leaden and predictable. The film peaks during the dancing collaborations between the leads, particularly their duet, but suffers from a formulaic script and some unconvincing character developments. Despite its flaws, most reviewers find it worth watching for the exceptional choreography and strong performances from Helen Mirren and Isabella Rossellini.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 32
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Nikolai 'Kolya' Rodchenko
Gregory Hines
Raymond Greenwood
Jerzy Skolimowski
Colonel Chaiko
Helen Mirren
Galina Ivanova
Geraldine Page
Anne Wyatt
Isabella Rossellini
Darya Greenwood
John Glover
Wynn Scott
Stefan Gryff
Captain Kirigin
William Hootkins
Chuck Malarek
Shane Rimmer
Ambassador Larry Smith
Florence Faure
Ballerina (Death)
David Savile
Pilot
Ian Liston
Co-pilot
Benny Young
Flight Engineer
Hilary Drake
Stewardess #1
Megumi Shimanuki
Stewardess #2
Daniel Benzali
Dr. Asher
Maria Werlander
Child Ballerina
Galina Pomerantzeva
Dvornik
Sergei Rusakov
KGB 1
Crew
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