Mao's Last Dancer

Uninspired, static treatment of Li Cunxin's tale. The frame is constrained by an attempt to conceal that filming took place in Australia; image quality is poor. Budgetary issues may have hampered the realisation of the vision. More importantly, however, the very mechanical approach to constructing the narrative largely fails to convey the sweep and drama inherent to the story, nor the political, economic, historical, personal and aesthetic themes involved. If only Scorsese had directed it...

"Beresford can't even represent Li's dancing (the reason we're meant to root for this little foreigner that could in the first place) with a modicum of dynamism." - Simon Abrams

Would have liked a deeper character study or a longer ordeal at the embassy. Very TV-movie. First wife exited stage left fairly quickly; second wife was underdeveloped. Hard for me not to be cynical during several decision points in Li's life. Great ballet sequences with actual dancers instead of just actors. Fav scene: the communist propaganda ballet rewrite.

Maybe the best male ballet dancer from China movie I have ever seen.

Oh I can hear it now. "Ballet!!!" I've never seen a ballet in my life, but I appreciate dance and this was awesome. It presents an incredible story, but I can see the writing on the wall from the mainstream media reviewers. "Thumbs down, it's pro-America, pro-capitalist propaganda dredged up about a guy who didn't know how lucky he was". As he says in the movie, he dances better in America because he is freer here. The only negative is the low definition print (It's on blu ray?).

Worthy (which is not necessarily a good word in my lexicon) biopic about a 'Big Ballerino', which has a very Australian sensibility despite being about a Chinese in Texas (who did go to Australia later). Through hard work and determination, Li escapes 'transportation' to become a wearer of the Baggy Green and enjoy riches. Not really for me, but people who don't think they like ballet might enjoy it.

Well made but annoyingly sentimental.

75.000

Good performance by Cao Chi. Story was engaging for the most part, but the ending was a bit weak.

This film is incredible. I do not like ballet, yet I was rivetted to this film. The story is heartfelt and warming. One of the few films that has brought tears to my eyes. I highly recommend this movie.

"Like its defector hero, Mao's Last Dancer is neither here nor there...determinedly dull, even in the flatly filmed ballet sequences."