Dance First

Dance First is a historical drama that examines the multifaceted life of the Irish writer Samuel Beckett. The story follows his journey through various stages, depicting him as a Parisian bon vivant, a member of the French Resistance during World War II, and a Nobel Prize winner. The film explores his inner contradictions, portraying him as both an unfaithful husband and a recluse, while highlighting his friendship with James Joyce and a dialogue between Beckett and his own conscience.

The film was directed by James Marsh, following his previous work including The Theory of Everything and The Mercy. The screenplay was written by Neil Forsyth. The cast is led by Gabriel Byrne in the role of Samuel Beckett, alongside Aidan Gillen as James Joyce and Sandrine Bonnaire as Suzanne. Other performers include Fionn O'Shea, Maxine Peake, and Bronagh Gallagher, with a total of 25 credited cast members.

Produced by companies from Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Hungary, the movie was released on November 3, 2023. It has received a moderate reception from audiences, holding a rating of 6/10 on IMDb based on 818 votes and a slightly higher score of 6.9/10 on TMDB from 25 votes.