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- iHaveNet.com: Movie Reviews
A dramatic true story has been made into a diffident biopic in "Mao's Last Dancer," based on the autobiography by Chinese ballet star Li Cunxin.
At 11, Cunxin left his family and his Shandong Province village, at the orders of Maoist officials, and underwent a grim training regimen in Beijing. There he was spotted by visiting choreographer Ben Stevenson (Bruce Greenwood) and an arrangement was made: Li joined the
Surely, that's a remarkable series of lives, and just as surely director Bruce Beresford's treatment of the script (by Jan Sardi, who fared much better with "Shine") gets the job done with little distinction. The first question for any dance-intensive picture is simple: How does the director handle movement? The answer here is: adequately. It's no fault of the performers. Li is played by Chi Cao, a principal dancer with the
For some, the dance will be enough. Choreographers Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon were longtime leaders of the
From Academy Award nominee Bruce Beresford (DRIVING MISS DAISY, TENDER MERCIES) comes MAO'S LAST DANCER, the inspiring true story of Li Cunxin and his extraordinary journey from a poor upbringing in rural China to international stardom as a world-class ballet dancer. Based on the best selling autobiography, MAO'S LAST DANCER weaves a moving tale about the quest for freedom and the courage it takes to live your own life. The film compellingly captures the struggles, sacrifices and triumphs, as well as the intoxicating effects of first love and celebrity amid the pain of exile.
MPAA rating: PG (for a brief violent image, some sensuality, language and incidental smoking).
Running time: 1:57.
Cast: Chi Cao (Li Cunxin); Bruce Greenwood (Ben Stevenson); Kyle MacLachlan (Charles Foster); Amanda Schull (Elizabeth); Joan Chen (Niang).
Credits: Directed by Bruce Beresford; written by Jan Sardi, based on the autobiography by Li Cunxin; produced by Jane Scott. A Samuel Goldwyn Films and ATO Pictures release.
Mao's Last Dancer Movie Review - Chi Cao & Bruce Greenwood