best movie i've ever seen.

A Disappointing Continuation

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

Beautiful dancing by the lead and by the two prima ballerinas displayed, one of whom the lead married. That's what the film is really about --- including the revolutionary ballet commissioned by Madame Mao and applauded by her. It also shows the rigorous training of the boys (and girls) for many hours per day with little let-up. Cunxin last saw his parents when he was 11, and then not again until he was in his late 20s. Teacher Chan, who was keen on traditional French-style ballet, got the boot and was sent into the hinterland, while the keen Maoist teacher led the college into revolutionary dance with guns. Cunxin was mistaken for a keen Maoist and actually allowed on to an intern program at Houston Ballet for three months. A real babe (who was not much of a dancer compared to him) attracted him into her honeypot and they married and set-off an international diplomatic incident as the consulate attempted to seize him and send him back to Communist heaven. After he was released Cunxin's marriage fella apart, he went on to stardom, married his new Australian prima ballerina partner and moved to Australia, hence the Australian movie by Bruce Beresford. It's quite a life. I thought the movie was spoiled by Bruce Greenwood mincing around with his over- pretty face and ridiculous fur overcoat with massive flaps, but that's just me, I suppose. Recommended.

In a village of China, the eleven year-old Li Cunxin is selected by the Comunist Party to study ballet at the Madame Mao's Dance Academy in Beijing. Years later, he travels to Houston in a cultural exchange program invited by the artistic director Ben Stevenson (Bruce Greenwood) and he is promoted to principal dancer of the Houston Ballet. Meanwhile he secretly dates and falls in love with the dancer Elizabeth Mackey (Amanda Schull).When the China's government asks Li Cunxin (Chi Cao) to return to his country, he marries Liz and defects to USA. He is forbidden to return to China and has no news of his parents and family. Meanwhile, his marriage with Liz ends and he misses his parents. But five years later, he has a great surprise during a performance. "Mao's Last Dancer" is a film about the true story of the Chinese ballet dancer Li Cunxin. The engaging biography of Li Cunxin is an example of discipline and strength associated with courage to make the right decisions, and it is amazing how a boy from a poor village in China could have become a great ballerino in the West. Bruce Greenwood, Kyle MacLachlan and Joan Chen are well known actors and are fantastic, but Chi Cao, Chengwu Guo and the rest of the cast and dancers have also top-notch performances. Everything is perfect in this film, from the direction of Bruce Beresford to the cinematography and art direction. My vote is ten.Title (Brazil): "O Último Bailarino de Mao" ("The Last Ballerino of Mao")

China's cultural revolution had a devastating effect on the way certain works of art were perceived by the people on top. Anything that had to do with the West, was deemed not proper and therefore, not fit for the masses. Ballet, a classical dance expression, became a vehicle for propaganda, as the higher ups wanted the works presented in a revolutionary manner, in tone and content.A young man, Li Cunxin, showed an innate talent for ballet. Coming from a poor family, he had almost no chances to pursue a career as a dancer, let alone to have been singled out to go to America to study for a limited period with the Houston Ballet, under Ben Stevenson's artistic direction, gave him an opportunity, first to study, and then, to shine as a gifted soloist that conquered the hearts of whoever saw him dance.Li Cunxin got caught in between his loyalty to his birth country and what he wanted to accomplish as an artist with a great gift to give the audiences that flocked to watch him perform. After making his decision, Li lived to experience his dream, not without sacrificing his desire to be in both places, but was not allowed to be.An inspirational film by Bruce Beresford, the Australian director that has had a string of hits in America. Based on the autobiography by Li Cunxin, and adapted by Jan Sardi, this production gets a great look from its creators, who clearly that plays with the viewer's emotions as it unfolds on the screen. There have been other great ballet films, but "Mao's Last Dancer" resonates with audiences thanks to Mr. Beresford's intelligent take on the dancing world.Chi Cao plays the title role as an adult. His dancing impresses because it almost appears to be effortless. Bruce Greenwood playing Mr. Stevenson is one of his best roles in the cinema. Joan Chen, Kyle MacLachlan, Amanda Schull, Camilla Vergotis, and the rest of the supporting cast do a good job for Mr. Beresford, in a film that shows the indestructible will of a man that wanted to bring joy through his dancing. Peter James photographs the production in all its splendor as different ballet pieces are performed.

What can I say about this movie that other reviewers have not already said? I went to this movie because I'll go to any movie that incorporates ballet. Yes, the dancing was top notch; however the movie was so great on so many levels that I wish I had talked my non-ballet-liking husband into going with me. It is a very human story encompassing many of the international changes that took place over the last half of the 20th century and people caught up in them. Although close to two hours long, the time flies by and this was barely enough time within which to tell the story. Now I'll have to read the book.In the US the movie seems to be playing only in little "art theaters". Too bad, because it is a blockbuster of a film.