AllMovie

The dance styles and careers of two men, Alwin Nikolais and Murray Louis are explored in this conventional documentary by Christian Blackwood, a director who has consistently focused on the lives and work of performers. Murray was a student of Nik's and eventually developed his own dance company. Each man's unique approach to dance is eloquently discussed and illustrated with clips, including excerpts from Murray Louis' dance troupe performing in Paris with the Dave Brubeck quartet and Nik's dancers performing outdoors in Aix-en-Provence. The talent of the two men is indisputable but Blackwood might have better served his topic by putting their dance styles in a larger context and indicating how they influenced others or vice-versa. Obvious questions like how long they have been together and how their professional work might be enhanced or affected by their relationship remain unanswered.