The audition scene

My favorite 2 scenes. I've seen this movie a zillion times and yet his appearance at the audition and the judges' reaction and then later the principal and vice-principal's questions were spell-binding. Their performances as judges on the panel were perfect: riveting, inscrutable, empathetic yet impartial. I loved those two. And Jamie Bell was at his absolute best in that room.

His teacher did tell him that they don't judge you on your dance skills - they teach you those. It's how you express yourself. As ballet teachers, I'm sure they were somewhat in shock at his serious lack of ballet training, which would account for their expressions. However, he did very much express himself, which probably came through to them upon reflection.

Also, I think his final answer, about what he feels when he's dancing, carried a great deal of weight. That's when they finally saw his *passion*. An ounce of that kind of passion is worth an entire lifetime of training.

So yes, I'm certain that they were initially dismayed and taken aback by his utter lack of training. Holy cow, he can't even point his feet! I was taken aback too, especially after he was supposed to have been in private lessons for a while before the audition. So that *initial* shock and dismay would have been what registered. Look closely at their faces after he explains about how he loses himself in the dancing, how he flies like a bird and it feels like electricity. There are some very subtle, but still very clear knowing smiles. They recognize that passion in him, and that's what finally wins him the spot.

I had no idea till you mentioned it that the judge was Lady Catherine!