Benefits: The Turning Point shows fabulous dancing, the unremitting hard work demanded of a dancer, some of the inner workings of a major ballet company, the internal rivalries in a dance company, and the changing of the guard required by the aging of a prima ballerina. After this film was released, there was a flood of thousands of boys into dance schools across the nation.

The movie explores the benefits and costs of a life led in pursuit of art and fame as opposed to a life concentrating on family and interpersonal relationships. In today's world, some ballerinas have families while they perform, but it is still difficult.

The film shows that parents aren't perfect and sometimes need forgiveness from their children. The husband of one of the women is not a major figure in the film but he is consistently supportive and nurturing to all members of his family.