Having only seen a few Russian movies and those did not leave you tapping your feet and whistling a happy tune I was more than prepared for more of the same. I have to say Bolshoi had me within a few minutes and ended, if not with me whistling a happy tune, maybe humming one and wishing the movie hadn't finished.
The movie combines contemporary scenes with scenes from the main characters past, these are not flashbacks but simply scenes which make absolute senses and put the current situations in perspective. The direction is really tight and there is not a scene which you come away feeling was surplus to requirements, in fact the film manages to pack in a complete story with characters who have substance.
From a story perspective, I am admitting my own prejudices here and felt a movie about ballerinas if not entertaining would at least be nice to look at, obviously an idiotic position to take and the reality is that this is one of the best sports movies I have ever seen, it communicates the dedication, effort and talent of these superb athletes and would make me want to actually go to a ballet having seen it.
This is a bit of a rambling review and you will get the plot from the other reviews but I wanted to recommend this movie, do not be put off by the title, the subject or the language, it is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time and it deserves to be seen and appreciated.