Review of Mao’s Last Dancer (2009) by Steve H — 27 Sep 2009
Having read the book before, I think that my opinion about the film is somehow biased. But this said, I am still happy to say that the film is a good one. All the actors / ballet people plays their parts beautifully.
Special mention goes to Chi Cao (who plays Li Cunxin adult) who succeeds to pull off the emotions required during dificult scenes, but also manages to add humor & a sense of innocence & charm to his role.
Bruce Greenwood seems to get a lot of attention for his role in the film & I think that he deserves it since he plays his role perfectly as someone passionate about teaching ballet. As for the sequence that the film plays, the jumping forward-backards is done adequately & the audience can relate & easily follow the story.
My only concern is as follows: the first part is slow to develop, followed by an exciting & beautifully made second part, but finish with a mediocre third part. Having read the book, the third act doesnot do justice to Li's life about his journey from when his parents are allowed to visit him in the US, to the reasons he marries Mary, to him going back to China.
However the film succeeds to pull off some deeply emotional scenes that connects with the audience, and the second part feels just amazing and fantastic. In bonus the director succeeds to capture the magic of ballet with each ballet scene he shot.
This review of Mao’s Last Dancer (2009) was written by Steve H on 27 Sep 2009.
Mao’s Last Dancer has generally received positive reviews.
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