"Dancer" is a documentary that delves into the life of Sergei Polunin, a Ukrainian ballet dancer who rose to fame at a young age and became one of the youngest principal dancers at the Royal Ballet. The film, released in 2016, offers an intimate and unflinching look at Polunin's struggles with his craft, his personal life, and his existential crises. Through a series of interviews, archival footage, and breathtaking dance sequences, "Dancer" humanizes a figure often regarded as a prodigy, revealing the complexities and vulnerabilities that lie beneath his polished exterior.

As the documentary progresses, it becomes clear that Polunin's relationship with dance is multifaceted and often fraught. On one hand, dance has been his escape, his passion, and his ticket to fame. On the other hand, it has also been a source of pressure, anxiety, and creative suffocation. The film sheds light on the sacrifices Polunin made to achieve success, including a childhood spent training tirelessly and a adulthood marked by injuries, self-doubt, and disillusionment. Through his story, "Dancer" raises important questions about the cost of greatness, the nature of artistic expression, and the psychological toll of living up to expectations.

One of the strengths of "Dancer" is its ability to balance the beauty of ballet with the harsh realities of Polunin's life. The film's cinematography is stunning, capturing the elegance and athleticism of dance in a way that is both captivating and humbling. At the same time, the documentary does not shy away from exploring the darker aspects of Polunin's story, including his struggles with addiction, his tumultuous relationships, and his feelings of disconnection and purposelessness. By presenting a nuanced and unvarnished portrait of its subject, "Dancer" creates a sense of empathy and understanding in the viewer, making it easy to become invested in Polunin's journey and to care deeply about his fate. Overall, "Dancer" is a thought-provoking and visually stunning documentary that will appeal to fans of ballet, dance, and biography, as well as anyone interested in exploring the complexities of the human experience.