If they had found Boris a nice girlfriend ...
.. how much might that have resolved this entanglements?
"It's the system, Lara. People will be different after the Revolution."
Or a nice boyfriend
But he wasn't upset by Julian dating & then marrying Vicky because he was jealous. He was upset because he believed that any romantic entanglement would detract from Vicky's devotion to dance
Steve
No. The movie plays it as Lermontov being both physically attracted to Vicky and attracted to her dancing.
The problem is that Lermontov can't separate those desires. Also if most of his affairs have been with men, than his physical response to Vicky must have made him even more confused.
What's your evidence for such a bold assertion?
Steve
The movie plays it as Lermontov being both physically attracted to Vicky and attracted to her dancing.
Actually, I think the movie makes it clear that what Lermontov is really attracted to is Vicky's talent. When Julian accuses him of jealousy, Lermontov responds: "Yes, I am. But in a way that you'll never understand."
Lermontov wants Vicky's body for art - not for sex. It's true they share a wonderful chemistry and enjoyment in one another's company, but it's about two human beings who feel that, when they're in partnership, every artistic goal is possible. Lermontov feels Vicky will enable him to realize his vision for the world of ballet (a religion to him), and Vicky feels Lermontov can provide her with her greatest opportunities and growth as a dancer. But Vicky needs more; she needs what Lermontov can't give her. That's why, when she's preparing for her performance at the end of the film, she has images of both Julian and Lermontov in a folding picture frame on her dressing room table. What's revealing is that it contains a photograph of Julian and an abstract, though recognizable, sketch of Lermontov - because Vicky and Lermontov's relationship is abstract.
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Thanks Murph, my sentiments exactly
But some people have problems with anything apart from standard boy/girl sexual relationships
Steve
It isn't in any way that Lermontov understands.
Again WATCH the film.
Lermontov invited Vicky into the company without seeing her dance a step. If he was so interested in talent, why do that? Already that one act is against his character.
He did it because he was attracted to her. Obviously there was more sexy, flirty talk between them that we did not see and led to her apprenticeship with his company. Vicky was under the impression that she had an understanding with him. When he invited her to meet with him over The Red Shoes, she went running all dolled up. What does THAT say about our little Vicky? Not so innocent is she. This is one of the few decisive acts she takes in the whole movie. And those acts show she was willing to go the lover route to get ahead.
Both Lermontov and Vicky repress themselves for Ballet. This leads them to act crazy. The only healthy person in the film was Julian. He left the debut of his opera for more than just a guest appearance by his wife. He left it because he knew Lermontov wanted it all, the dance, her love, sex...everything.
Obviously there was more sexy, flirty talk between them that we did not see and led to her apprenticeship with his company.
How do you know that Vicky didn't dance for him when we couldn't see her as well?
Remember how Grisha dismissed Julian when they first met
Julian: Lermontov has hired me
Grisha: [Glances at him] Not as a dancer [looks him up and down] I hope
A professional dancer can tell another professional dancer at a glance
Steve
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