Mao’s Last Dancer movie review from modmove

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Mao’s Last Dancer
There’s a moment in Herbert Ross’s 1977 meditation on the world of ballet, The Turning Point, when Anne Bancroft, pondering the life she’s chosen, says “…even now there are moments when it all comes together, the music, the lights…” It’s a great moment and a great line that fully captures that life and watching Bruce Beresford’s latest offering, Mao’s Last Dancer, the words returned to me again and again.

Beginning in the devoutly communist China of 1972, 11-year-old Li (Huang Wen Bin) is taken from an impoverished village in Shandong province and sent to Madame Mao's Beijing Dance Academy. After years of intensive training, Li, played as an adult by Chi Chao (a principal of the Birmingham Royal Ballet), is chosen by Houston Ballet director Ben Stevenson (Bruce Greenwood) to dance in America where he fast realises that western society is not the den of sin his country’s government would have him believe. Li soon falls in love and with the help of immigration lawyer Charles Foster (Kyle MacLachlan) begins devising a plan to avoid returning home.

Many have complained that Beresford’s latest work overflows with cliché. They’d be right too. The political elements threaten to topple this tale which is very much a rags-to-riches adventure (it’s no surprise that Jan Sardi who penned the screenplay for Shine reprises her duties here) yet the pace and tempo are so steady it’s easy to look past the obvious assessment. The performances are, with the exception of Greenwood’s nauseating choreographer (which stands out too much), wonderfully convincing. Joan Chen as Lu’s mother is humility and fire all at once, MacLachlan does a fine job as Foster and the role of Lu is played by capable actors who portray the angst and determination with aplomb.

Yet, and it’s a big Yet, underlining the film is the stage action, choreographed brilliantly by Graeme Murphy. Beresford uses the action as a touchstone for everything else we see. Reinforced again and again, as it should be, is the freedom Lu feels as he flies from one end of the stage to the other. Poetry in motion, the lights and the music really do bring it all together and as shamelessly manipulative as Mao’s Last Dancer is, it’s excused. Muscular and emotional, this is one of the best films of the year.
Michael Dalton
www.maoslastdancermovie.com

Mao's Last Dancer Movie Trailer


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