Love Tomorrow

Love Tomorrow is a 2012 British independent film that brilliantly explores themes of destiny, love, loss, and the transformative power of dance. The film, directed by Christopher Payne and beautifully shot across the diverse landscapes of London, stars accomplished professional dancers Cindy Jourdain and Arionel Vargas in the leading roles.

The movie begins when Eva (Cindy Jourdain), a ballet dancer at the end of her professional career, meets Oriel (Arionel Vargas) in a London subway station. Eva, plagued by personal loss and career uncertainty, gets lost in the city, which introduces her to Oriel, a strikingly charismatic Cuban-born ballet dancer. The chance encounter molds itself into an unusual day-long companionship exploring the streets of a diversely seen London.

Cindy Jourdain, who was a first soloist with the English National Ballet, delivers an emotional and yet understated performance. Her character, Eva, is enigmatic, complex, and laden with a heart-rending history that forms a core part of the narrative. Arionel Vargas, who was a principal dancer with the English National Ballet, brings his Cuban roots to his character, Oriel, reflecting in the energy and charisma he carries with his role.

The duo's chemistry is undeniable, and the film’s narrative stretches over a day of playful exploration, thoughtful conversations, and reflections on personal losses and dance. It is less about romantic love and more about the connection they share, the passion for their craft, and a shared understanding of the losses and sacrifices involved in their respective lives and careers.

The film also imaginatively captures London in its various moods. The cityscape plays a thought-provoking role as the vibrant and anonymous backdrop to Eva and Oriel's explorations and conversations. Cinematographer Sashi Kissoon expertly captured the aesthetics of London beyond the commonly known landmarks, reflecting on its cultural diversity, unique architecture, and everyday life of its inhabitants.

One of the standout elements of Love Tomorrow is its choreography. As you might expect from a film about two dancers, the movie is filled with sequences of dance. However, it's not the usual theatrical, big-scale choreography you might see in a typical dance movie. Instead, it's intimate and personal, echoing the turbulent emotions, whimsical happiness and underlying melancholy of Eva and Oriel. The scenes vary from impromptu twirls in the park to intense sessions at a dance studio.

Director Christopher Payne manages to weave together the somewhat melancholic moments of their lives with the buoyant joy of dance to conduct an emerging harmonic symphony of connection and understanding, imbued with a sense of realism. This film isn't a high-drama emotional rollercoaster; instead, it delves into subtlety, showcasing the real-life struggles and delights these characters experience, creating believable scenarios to which viewers can relate.

The film reflects not just on the passion for dance and its trials and tribulations but also on the true meaning of success, personal fulfillment, and overcoming adversity. Love Tomorrow echoes the inevitable progression of time, our struggles with change and evolution, and the resilience we find within ourselves and each other to keep moving forward.

Max Brown also delivers a noteworthy performance in his supporting role that adds to the rollercoaster of emotions that is Love Tomorrow. The film’s ensemble cast, comprised of top-tier professional dancers, offers impressive performances that lend authenticity to the narrative and accentuate the central theme of the film - dance and life, inseparable, and profoundly intertwined.

The soundtrack composed by Alex Heffes is another highlight of the film, beautifully complementing the on-screen visuals and storyline while contributing to the overall emotional impact. The tunes range from melancholic piano pieces to uplifting scores, mirroring the film's varied emotional tones.

In conclusion, Love Tomorrow is a captivating film filled with authentic dance sequences, brilliant acting, and a beautiful portrayal of human connections. It offers viewers a fresh perspective on the undeniable intimate connection between life and art, highlighting how both are in constant evolution, shaped by personal experiences, ambitions, and the audacity to face life's challenges. It's an intriguing exploration of dance, love, loss, and life displayed through a genuinely heartfelt journey of two individuals who cross paths by chance but impact each other in monumental ways. This film is surely a must-watch for those who admire dance, appreciate nuanced storytelling, and contemplate the unpredictability and beauty of life.