The Turning Point

Decisive Step or Moment of Decision (depending on the country) is a film about the world of ballet classic, in which the famous Russian dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov co-stars. Contains several extraordinary dance scenes. Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft's acting duel earned them both an Oscar nomination.

Plot

Emma Jacklin (Anne Bancroft) and Deedee Rodgers (Shirley MacLaine) studied ballet together and became great dancers. While Emma sacrificed her private life for the ballet, Deedee did the opposite. She left the stage and started a ballet school with her husband. Her daughter Emilia (Leslie Browne) is already a good dancer, who is still at her parents' house. One day he arrives in the city where Deedee lives with her family, the company in which Emma acts as prima ballerina. The two friends are happy to see each other and discuss their respective lives. Talking about Emilia, Deedee's daughter, Emma proposes taking her to New York, to the company's ballet school, knowing that she can become a great dancer. Deedee has her doubts, because she sees that her daughter will also have to decide at her time between her career and having a family.

Awards

The film earned eleven Oscar nominations in the categories of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Mikhail Baryshnikov), Best Leading Actress (Shirley MacLaine), Best Leading Actress (Anne Bancroft), Best Supporting Actress (Leslie Browne), Best Original Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, and Best Editing. Incredibly, the tape did not win any statuette. Along with The Color Purple, it is the film with the most Academy Award nominations without winning any.