Mao's Last Dancer

Mao's Last Dancer (Bruce Beresford, 2009) prod. Jane Scott, wr. Jan Sardi, from the autobiography; Chi Cao, Bruce Greenwood, Kyle MacLachlan; biopic: story of dancer Li Cunxin

It’s a pity that the clichés inherent in the material haven’t been completely eliminated. Basically, it’s a typical rags to riches story, with some captivating dance sequences, and some rather obvious suspense, thrown in. David Stratton, At the Movies.

Based as it is on a true story of a real life, Mao's Last Dancer is far more complex and layered than a fictional narrative might be, and satisfyingly so, with a great payload of emotional release. Bruce Beresford engineers Jan Sardi's excellent adaptation of the memoir with finesse, delivering that emotional climax with power and great timing. Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile.

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New: 30 November, 2012 | Now: 29 April, 2014 | garrygillard[at]gmail.com