Review of Mao’s Last Dancer (2009) by Dickie L — 30 Sep 2009
The good thing about real life stories adapted for the screen is that you get unpredictable shades of grey in the storytelling (and yes, not everything is as clear cut in Mao as the trailer might suggest). The bad thing is it can be harder to fit a real life story neatly into a classic three-act structure. And thats one of the problems with Mao's Last Dancer - there's just one act too many.
The pic starts promisingly enough, with screenwriter Jan Sardi wisely doing away with the linear chronology of the book and breaking up the scenes of Li's poverty stricken childhood with the adult Li experiencing America for the first time. It all runs along quite smoothly, no thanks to the over the top traditional Eastern music that assaults us each time the.
Rolling fields of rural China are on screen. The scenes of the draconian ballet school are interesting and the dance performances are a sight to behold, but around the time that the main conflict surfaces, the film veers into melodrama territory and it never really recovers.
Biggest asset by far is Chi Cao, who is impressive both as a dancer and for his portrayal of Li Cunxin.
This review of Mao’s Last Dancer (2009) was written by Dickie L on 30 Sep 2009.
Mao’s Last Dancer has generally received positive reviews.
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