NekoHomey Purely Joyful Movie!

mraculeated The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

filippaberry84 I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Paynbob It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

pigeonca Yes, the plot is predictable and Li's reactions to America perhaps excessively awestruck, but this is probably the best ballet film since "The Red Shoes." In most dance films the director abandons the totality of the performances by inserting closeups of faces and feet, whereas Beresford knows when to just leave things alone. The edits only happen when another point of view is necessary and thus are never gratuitous. Restraint in art is always admirable.I was also amazed by the actors, many of them amateurs, and by the scope of the production. Maoist China appeared authentic to me, having seen many documentary films about the cultural revolution and life during that period. And Beresfords depiction of 1980s Houston reflected the era quite accurately, even if - as some comments here detect - some of the street scenes were clearly shot in Australia. So what!For me and my family, "Mao's Last Dancer" is one of the best films we've seen this year.

keachs I don't normally watch many movies about ballet, I respect it as an art form but as a guy, just don't "get it". This movie however, transcends the ballet aspect because it involves a personal and true-to-life story. I think the film captures well post-revolutionary China and the US in the early 1980's.Even though the story is based on a actual events and you know actors are portraying these real people, the acting is quite believable (both Chinese and Western) . The dancing scenes are quite good, this coming from a layman. Chi Cao's acting was a bit forced as it was apparent that though he was Asian, probably was probably well versed in Western culture. (Being an Westen cultured Asian myself) it takes one to know one. This very slight oversight can be forgiven, given that Chi Cao's dancing is obviously authentic.The early relationship of Li Cunxin and Elizabeth is very well portrayed, capturing the cultural differences which were a bit more pronounced 30 years ago. There were some very touching family scenes that made me cry.I had not heard of Bruce Beresford before, but I see by his filmography that he has had a long and distinguished career and may check out more of his films. Yet another underrated and unappreciated gem of a film which deserves more exposure, squeezed out by the big studios and their big marketing budgets churning out inferior, self gratifying fare.

Monica Tracy Absolutely a movie worth seeing. I rented it out knowing just a little bit about it but not knowing that the movie is based on an autobiography of the main character. Great movie and great performance. One of the few movies I will never forget. It is hard to even imagine the hardship Li Cunxin had to go through for a person who was not born in the communist country especially communist China. It makes you think how many things every day we take for granted. Our freedom, the reality of seeing your family every day and at the same time making your dreams come true. I will definitely want to see this movie again some time, it is now on my favourite movies' list.

ninjaalice there are a lot of things I found lacking or somewhat poor execution on the part of the filmmaker...the way it was packaged in the editing, the way some seemingly important details were glossed over, some particular liberties I imagine was taken with some of the real story, some choice of shots, inconsistencies in the use of music, a few overextended numbers, etc. etc. It wasn't a masterpiece in any sense that I sa "Not One Less" (1999, Zhang Yimou) is, in a similar genre and similar concerns.That being said, this film falls on the shoulder of Li Cunxin's story and the story carries well. It's tension of family versus individual and not the tension of East versus West, and to that end it is where the film gets its power, as we see toward the end of the film. It's hard for a life's journey to be chronicled in two hours in an entertainment format but I think this film does it well enough to perhaps encourage people to do some additional reading on their own.