Mao's Last Dancer

Thanks to Qantas' great in-flight entertainment programme, I was able to watch a very good Australian film entitled "Mao's Last Dancer." I watched it not because of the ballet (which does not really interest me that much), but more about the Cultural Revolution in China which the title seems to suggest. The story tells the true-to-life experience of a a boy Li Cunxin, born sixth in a poor peasant family with seven sons. He was picked out by the powers that be from a provincial school to train as a ballet dancer in Beijing in the 1970s. In the early 1980s, a visiting American choreographer from Houston noted Li's talent and brought him to the USA to dance, where Li gained fame as a premiere danseur in the short time he was there. After experiencing first-hand the differences between the living and cultural differences of China and America, Li was faced with a monumental dilemma. Should he return to the motherland to which he had always been taught to be loyal? Or should he remain in his newly found land of freedom and home of the girl he loved? I really liked the scenes depicting the scenes set in China, rather than those set in the USA. The culture in the community, the filial piety, the rigorous training, the clash of art and politics, even the scene with Madame Mao, were very revealing and touching. Li's conversations with the Chinese consul to the USA were also very interesting. Chi Cao, who played the adult Li, is a very good dancer, more than he was an actor, but that was quite understandable. He ended his performance of a ballet solo (in "Don Quixote") with such a passionate flourish -- that, for me, was the best dance scene, and Cao's best acting moment in the whole film. I don't know why it was, but every time Li's mother (lovingly played by Joan Chen) appeared on the screen, my eyes would cloud up (which was not too easy to hide in a packed plane, haha!) Overall, I liked the film. Director Bruce Beresford went a little too melodramatic, but that's fine for me. I do note that most films about that time in China's history would tend to some emotional melodrama. Li's difficult decision makes a riveting conflict, but unfortunately, that part was handled with a rather rushed and simplistic manner, and with a point-of-view that might be biased.

This is one of the best films about classical ballet I have seen, showing whole dance sequences rather than snippets, and the dancing is beautiful. The hard work and dedication necessary to achieve excellence is clearly shown. It is the story of the rise to fame of Li Cunxin and a sensitive portrayal of the conflicting loyalties to country, family, the art form and the desire for freedom. It is a film to inspire as well as entertain. Margot, a Heartland Truly Moving Picture Award Jury Member Heartland Truly Moving Pictures, a non-profit arts organization, was established in 1991 to recognize and honor filmmakers whose work explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for positive values of life.

I don't normally watch many movies about ballet, I respect it as an art form but as a guy, just don't "get it". This movie however, transcends the ballet aspect because it involves a personal and true-to-life story. I think the film captures well post-revolutionary China and the US in the early 1980's. Even though the story is based on a actual events and you know actors are portraying these real people, the acting is quite believable (both Chinese and Western) . The dancing scenes are quite good, this coming from a layman. Chi Cao's acting was a bit forced as it was apparent that though he was Asian, probably was probably well versed in Western culture. (Being an Westen cultured Asian myself) it takes one to know one. This very slight oversight can be forgiven, given that Chi Cao's dancing is obviously authentic. The early relationship of Li Cunxin and Elizabeth is very well portrayed, capturing the cultural differences which were a bit more pronounced 30 years ago. There were some very touching family scenes that made me cry. I had not heard of Bruce Beresford before, but I see by his filmography that he has had a long and distinguished career and may check out more of his films. Yet another underrated and unappreciated gem of a film which deserves more exposure, squeezed out by the big studios and their big marketing budgets churning out inferior, self gratifying fare.

I should have trusted my instinct and avoided this movie based on the title. I pictured some sort of feel good propaganda capable of passing Chinese censorship. Li Cunxin a Chinese ballet dancer catches the eye of Ben Stevenson the Houston ballet director who is touring China in the 1970s. Ben brings him to the US as a student and makes him a star. Li marries and defects. In the end he is reunited with his family and makes a glorious visit to his homeland with his second wife. In the final scene he and his wife (also a ballet dancer) freeze in the cliché triumphant glory pose (arms together pointing to infinity) of Chinese opera. It is sickening. Another reviewer said this was paint by numbers for the masses-- Basically accurate. It made millions at the box office. Every cliché known to the genre is in this thing....the sudden need to replace the lead dancer hours before curtain call. The wise sage teacher who supplies the magic anecdotal encouragement to motivate a discouraged student. This is an autobiography--where are the negatives that would make this guy human? The excessive ambition maybe a few dirty tricks he regrets--none of that. I personally hate movies that throw up signs on how the viewer is supposed to feel and think every 10 seconds. The acting directing and story is cheesy (overdone inauthentic exaggerated) Ben Stevenson (Bruce Greenwood) gets an F for unconvincing gay mannerisms he should have studied Paul Lynn. One flaw of Netflix Streaming is you cannot fast forward...however with about an hour to go I began to skip ahead 5 minutes at a time-- it is that bad. DO NOT RECOMMEND

Absolutely a movie worth seeing. I rented it out knowing just a little bit about it but not knowing that the movie is based on an autobiography of the main character. Great movie and great performance. One of the few movies I will never forget. It is hard to even imagine the hardship Li Cunxin had to go through for a person who was not born in the communist country especially communist China. It makes you think how many things every day we take for granted. Our freedom, the reality of seeing your family every day and at the same time making your dreams come true. I will definitely want to see this movie again some time, it is now on my favourite movies' list.

I didn't expect that much from the movie as I bought it at a cheap price for several reasons. First of all, I am interested in Chinese culture and history and in my university classes, we were recently talking a lot about the era of Mao. Second, I saw that Kyle MacLachlan and Joan Chen would be starring in this movie and I both adored them in the legendary Twin Peaks series and thought it would be interesting to see them come back together for another movie. I also thought that the artistic side of the movie could be beautiful. But I didn't expect too see a masterpiece, maybe the best drama I have ever seen in my whole long life. This movie blew me completely away in every sense of the word. Usually I happen to hate dance movies, but the choreographers' works in this movie are stunning and overall beautiful. The decorations, the music and the dancers are majestic and were touching and you don't have to be a fan of ballet dancing or classical music to feel so. The acting of the movie was brilliantly played by every single actor. Let's underline the stunning performance of the sympathetic, powerful and yet naive Chi Cao who played his role as if he was really living this. The young actors Wen Bin Huang and Chengwu Guo did also a very great job and I hope to hear and see more of those rather unknown talents very soon. The more well known actors like Bruce Greenwood and Kyle MacLachlan are as always very solid and charismatic. The story of the movie is highly intriguing and touching. This is a movie about having dreams and ambitions, about fighting and believing, about hope and despair. There is a very philosophical touch in the whole story and thanks to the brilliant acting you get immediately drowned into this tragic drama where a young dancer must make many sacrifices to hold on to his dreams. When the young dancer finally gets a surprise on stage towards the end of the movie, I just began to cry. This was one of the most magic moments I have ever seen in a movie and I am not a very sentimental person. Someone that won't be touched by the intensity of emotions in this movie must have a heart of ice and stone and someone that is rather emotional might be touched all along the movie. Knowing that this movie was inspired by a true story underlines the intensity of it and shows us that the best stories are often written by life and fate. This movie goes straight to the top ten movies I have seen in my life and I have seen many movies and big classics. This movie is about romance, family, freedom, faith, cultures and dreams and comparable to the great Shawshank Redemption that broke all the records on this site. Needless to say that I slightly prefer Mao's last dancer to it and I hope that this underrated movie might attract your interest and get more popular one day. Everyone that liked Shawshank Redemption must watch this flick and won't be disappointed. This is easily the best movie of the year 2009.

Mao's Last Dancer is a brilliantly made movie, thanks to the flawless direction of Bruce Beresford. I had not even heard of this film until I saw a local ad for it. I also didn't know about the book. I watched this movie with eyes wide open! The dancing blew me away, and yes, I have to admit, I cried several times. The story of Li Cunxin is amazing. He is played magnificently by Chi Cao (as an adult), who, I understand, is a well known Chinese dancer in his own right. Bruce Greenwood, which I like very much, plays the role of the Houston Ballet Director with absolute perfection. Several reviews have included the plot of the film, so I'm not going to get into here. I only want to stress to everyone who has not seen this movie, don't miss it!!! And bring a box of hankies...

This is a well made entertaining and moving story about ballet and politics of the cultural revolution in China. For those interested in either it is captivating. You don't have to be a ballet fan to appreciate this. The screenplay is good with good pace and witty dialog. The story is moving without being sentimental or over-dramatic. It has good doses of unexpected humor without being corny. The reunion with his parents on stage is very moving if a bit contrived. The ballet scenes are exciting to watch and meaningfully placed in the story. The defection is tense. The lead actor Cao Chi is highly competent as an actor in addition to being a good dancer. For a dancer he can act pretty well. Joan Chen does an amazing job as a peasant - she really is versatile. The non Chinese supporting cast is good. Bruce Greenwood does a good accent and manner as the artistic director. Kyle McLachlan is amusing as the lawyer who helps him. Amanda Schull from Center Stage doesn't dance much but is quite sweet as the love interest. Do watch this.

A charming, stirring, visually and emotionally stirring film. The best I've thus far seen in '10. The story of a mainland Chinese 11 year old boy,supposedly forever indoctrinated by daily school- taught commie propaganda garbage,is chosen to attend a special school to be trained for ballet. He does well and in due time, is sent to the USA to the Houston Ballet Company. Then and there he awakens to not only his manhood but to the realization that all he's been taught about the "glory of Chairman Mao's communist revolution, was the furthest thing from the truth. Not only is the lead a wonderful danseur but his acting ability could win him a Best Actor nomination as well. A film NOT TO BE MISSED.

Never having read the book, and only vaguely knowing the story from the trailer, I went into Mao's with a clean slate. This was for the best I believe. Other than the major moment in Li's life – his refusal to leave America – I was unaware of what was to come and as such felt the full effect of every emotional twist and turn that Li, and those around him, took. Equal parts depressing, heart-warming, gut-wrenching and uplifting, Li's tale was meant for the big screen. Bruce Beresford's (Driving Miss Daisy) direction is occasionally hampered by over-indulgence, a small price to pay for allowing the free-flowing ballet performances all the air they need to breathe. When focussing on the younger Li in China it is slightly clichéd (even the score sounds somewhat stereotypical) and run-of-the-mill, however by the time we settle in on the adult Li, Beresford has really hit his stride and delivers an absolutely engrossing and affecting film. The tears may flow for a lot of people, but these scenes are authentic and touching, escaping the melodrama that often rears its ugly head at those moments. The drama plays a big part in this extraordinary tale, although it wouldn't have worked if the mesmeric dancing wasn't front and centre. Without these sequences showcasing what the ballet virtuoso was really capable of, we wouldn't be able to believe the lengths these people went to just to ensure Li got his chance to shine. Fortunately, the resplendent performances we witness are breathtaking and show-stopping; each terpsichorean routine able to tell an entire story whilst allowing Li an outlet for his deep emotions. In his first ever acting role, the Beijing Dance Academy and Royal Ballet School student Chi Cao doesn't so much as act as Li Cunxin, he is Li Cunxin. At first glance his silly sounding broken English and awkward attempts at romance seemingly come from lack of acting experience, but then you slowly realise this is what the real Li was most probably like. As Ben Stevenson, the venerable Houston Ballet artistic director who campaigns for Li to study in the U.S., Bruce Greenwood displays terrific diversity, his portrayal is elegantly realised and he ensures Ben's culturally savvy and flamboyant personality stops just short of being priggish. Elsewhere we have fine performances by Joan Cheng, Chengwo Guo and Ferdinand Hoang, with Amanda Schull and Kyle MacLachlan proving the weak links. Get through the slow first 30 minutes then be prepared to be swept away by an epic real life saga that is best viewed at the cinema. 4 out of 5 (1 - Rubbish, 2 - Ordinary, 3 - Good, 4 - Excellent, 5 - Classic)