Polina (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Polina is a 2017 drama directed by Angelin Preljocaj and Valérie Müller, starring Juliette Binoche, Niels Schneider and Miglen Mirtchev. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $1 million worldwide. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 48m (108 min)
- Directors
- Angelin Preljocaj and Valérie Müller
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
French
- Studio
- Oscilloscope Laboratories
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Polina About?
The premise of Polina without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Driven by a desire for perfection, a young ballerina's rigorous classical dance training leads her towards a promising career at the Bolshoi Ballet. However, an unexpected encounter with contemporary dance sparks a personal and artistic crisis, challenging her established path. Ultimately, she makes a daring choice, leaving behind her former life to journey to France and explore a new creative direction. There, she grapples with finding her place and defining her artistic identity.
Polina Themes & Keywords
· 1 tag- girl
Polina Cast
Juliette Binoche leads the cast, with Niels Schneider and Miglen Mirtchev. Directed by Angelin Preljocaj and Valérie Müller; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Co-director Angelin Preljocaj
- Co-director Valérie Müller
Also Starring in Polina
· 6 moreMore from Angelin Preljocaj and Valérie Müller
One more film directed by Angelin Preljocaj and Valérie Müller: Snow White.
Polina Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Polina 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (35).
Polina Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, the film delivers strong visual and choreographic achievements but is hampered by an underdeveloped narrative framework. While most reviews commend the painterly cinematography and energetic dance sequences, many also point to narrative opacity and a lack of dramatic propulsion. Performances are believable yet occasionally feel surface-level, limiting emotional engagement. The film’s sensory clarity and inventive movement design stand out, but the uneven storyline and sparse character depth temper its overall effectiveness.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 88
In terms of art and craft, the film’s visual design is a clear asset. Reviews highlight the painterly widescreen cinematography and expressive choreography that bring vibrant tableaux to life. The production supports each dance sequence with careful framing and color choices. Overall, the visual presentation offers a consistently arresting backdrop that sustains the film’s formal ambitions.
- Character & Emotion 70
When it comes to character and emotion, performances are credible but the central figure remains somewhat inaccessible. Many note the lead’s unforced delivery, yet some criticism points to a lack of inner life that leaves emotional depth underexplored. Moments of genuine resonance arise through subtle gestures, but the character trajectory feels thin. In sum, the acting is capable but the emotional connection is uneven.
- Story & Flow 35
Story and flow represent one of the film’s weaker components. Critics frequently describe the narrative as inert or formless, noting that plot developments offer limited cohesion and occasional narrative opacity. Pacing is deliberately measured but often feels aimless without a strong dramatic thrust. As a result, engagement with the storyline fluctuates, leaving the dramatic framework underpowered and diminishing the film’s overall momentum.
- Sensory Experience 87
When it comes to sensory experience, the film impresses with its vibrant visual style and dynamic movement. The choreography conveys energy and color, supported by crisp visual composition that highlights both grand dance sequences and intimate moments. While the soundtrack receives less attention, the balance of sound and imagery creates cohesive atmospheres throughout. Overall, this sensory clarity reinforces the film’s aesthetic identity and appeal.
- Rewatch Factor 60
Regarding rewatch potential, the film’s striking visuals and choreographic inventiveness offer appeal on repeat viewings. The dynamic dance set pieces retain their kinetic energy, and subtle visual details emerge upon closer inspection. However, the underdeveloped dramatic core and narrative opacity may reduce motivation for subsequent viewings. Ultimately, the film holds moderate repeat value for those drawn to its aesthetic strengths, but the thin storyline limits long-term replay enjoyment.
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IMDb 4.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 85% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 63%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 65 Metascore
User score 7.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 66% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
13 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 2.5 /5
See on Movie Insider
Polina Plot Summary
What happens in Polina from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As a child Polina auditions for ballet school and is accepted. The head teacher and choreographer, Bojinski, notices her talent and pushes her hard, sensing the spark of something exceptional. Yet she continually wrestles with the rigidity of training for ballet and her own growing passion for dance, torn between precision and the urge to move with feeling.
Full summary
The whole story of Polina, scene by scene
Polina Box Office
Polina grossed $1 million worldwide. $165,203 came from the US and Canada and $835,271 (83%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$1M
- US & Canada
- $165.2K
- International
- $835.3K
Polina Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Polina.
How Well Do You Know Polina?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What type of dance does Polina initially train in as a child?
Polina Also Known As
11 alternative titles, including “폴리나” and “Polina: Ο Χορός είναι η Ζωή μου”.
- Also known as
-
- 폴리나
- Polina: Ο Χορός είναι η Ζωή μου
- Балерина
- Полина
- Polīna. Dzīves deja
- 波丽娜:舞蹈人生
- Polina, danser sa vie
- 翩翩人生波麗娜
- 波麗娜
- Поліна
- ポリーナ、私を踊る
Seen Polina?
Movies Like Polina
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Fisherman’s Daughter, Anna Pavlova and Black Swan.
Polina FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Polina, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Polina?
Polina runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).
When was Polina released?
Polina was released on August 25, 2017.
Who directed Polina?
Polina was directed by Angelin Preljocaj and Valérie Müller.
More films by Angelin Preljocaj Who is in the cast of Polina?
Polina stars Juliette Binoche, Niels Schneider and Miglen Mirtchev, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Polina make at the box office?
Polina grossed $1 million worldwide ($165,203 domestic, $835,271 international).
How is Polina rated?
Polina has 4.4/10 on IMDb, 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.
Does Polina have a post-credit scene?
No. Polina has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Polina in?
The original language of Polina is French.
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