Rise (2022)
En corps
Film details
Comedy · Drama · Family · Cédric Klapisch · 1h 57min
Synopsis
Elise thought she had the perfect life: an ideal boyfriend and a promising career as a ballet dancer. It all falls apart the day she catches him cheating on her with her stage backup; and after she suffers an injury on stage, it seems like she might not be able to dance ever again.
Verdict
A drama of overcoming that celebrates resilience and reinvention after failure.
In-depth analysis
The film constructs a classic narrative of personal triumph where physical failure becomes a starting point for inner growth. Elise is not a passive victim of her injury — she chooses to respond with creativity and openness to the unknown. The transition from classical to contemporary dance functions as a metaphor for maturity: learning that identity is not exhausted by initial talent, but rather is discovered in the capacity to adapt without losing what is essential. The screenplay respects the protagonist's pain without wallowing in it, and celebrates effort without trivializing it. For parents, it is a valuable work for discussing with adolescent children about genuine resilience, which does not consist of denying suffering but in finding meaning through it. The direction champions the visual beauty of dance as a narrative language, avoiding the easy emotional punch. A wholesome story about the dignity of one who rises and seeks a new path without bitterness.