MAO'S LAST DANCER
Bruce Beresford's latest directorial outing explores issues of freedom. Not necessarily in a physical sense but an emotional one where feelings of guilt and self doubt continue to trap his protagonist. Where those personal traits bring continual confinement, Mao's Last Dancer shows someone overcoming these strictures. This is reasonably conveyed in a film showing that when one is able to resolve their inner turmoils can they ever be truly free.
Growing up under the regime of Chinese Communist leader Mao, young farm boy Li Cunxin (Chi Cao) dreams of a better life. His wishes are granted when he is picked by the Beijing Dance Academy as a new recruit. Eventually becoming a skilled ballet dancer, Li takes part in an exchange program to America. Learning the cultural differences of the two countries, he becomes enraptured by the independence his new home brings. Refusing to return to China after falling in love, Li's plight turns into a tale of honour and sacrifice where freedom's price carries a nasty sting.
Mao's Last Dancer falls into a trap afflicting many biographies. By showing its subject as a flawless saint there's a sense of being manipulated instead of being informed. A pity as the themes offered are interesting with the idea of freedom used as a tool of power by government fascinating. How someone indoctrinated with its propaganda attempts to shake free of its influence is equally enthralling although Beresford's sluggish direction dilutes its impact. A surprise given his background, but the continual jumps in the narrative and some weak acting undoes a lot of good early intentions.
Its formative scenes are the most effective with the young Li unwittingly used as an instrument of government hype. Here you really have a feel for the tactics of an administration intent on maintaining control. It's a shame this groundwork slowly unravels once Li enters the U.S. as events descend into pure biography convention with swirling violins and over-acting enhancing the obligatory tear-inducing triumph. Biographical movies have come a long way without resorting to such lazy techniques continually battling against being original and 'giving what the audience wants'.
Filled with some spectacular dance sequences and an interesting backstory, Mao's Last Dancer is ultimately a disappointment. Maybe expectations were too high given Beresford's catalogue, although it seems even he was unable to be as free in his choices unlike those in his film.
Move Review Rating 5 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
MAO'S LAST DANCER released in Australia on Thursday 9th April 2009.
If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review Mao's Last Dancer
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
MAO'S LAST DANCER Official Homepage click HERE
For more about Li Cunxin click HERE
Growing up under the regime of Chinese Communist leader Mao, young farm boy Li Cunxin (Chi Cao) dreams of a better life. His wishes are granted when he is picked by the Beijing Dance Academy as a new recruit. Eventually becoming a skilled ballet dancer, Li takes part in an exchange program to America. Learning the cultural differences of the two countries, he becomes enraptured by the independence his new home brings. Refusing to return to China after falling in love, Li's plight turns into a tale of honour and sacrifice where freedom's price carries a nasty sting.
Mao's Last Dancer falls into a trap afflicting many biographies. By showing its subject as a flawless saint there's a sense of being manipulated instead of being informed. A pity as the themes offered are interesting with the idea of freedom used as a tool of power by government fascinating. How someone indoctrinated with its propaganda attempts to shake free of its influence is equally enthralling although Beresford's sluggish direction dilutes its impact. A surprise given his background, but the continual jumps in the narrative and some weak acting undoes a lot of good early intentions.
Its formative scenes are the most effective with the young Li unwittingly used as an instrument of government hype. Here you really have a feel for the tactics of an administration intent on maintaining control. It's a shame this groundwork slowly unravels once Li enters the U.S. as events descend into pure biography convention with swirling violins and over-acting enhancing the obligatory tear-inducing triumph. Biographical movies have come a long way without resorting to such lazy techniques continually battling against being original and 'giving what the audience wants'.
Filled with some spectacular dance sequences and an interesting backstory, Mao's Last Dancer is ultimately a disappointment. Maybe expectations were too high given Beresford's catalogue, although it seems even he was unable to be as free in his choices unlike those in his film.
Move Review Rating 5 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
MAO'S LAST DANCER released in Australia on Thursday 9th April 2009.
If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review Mao's Last Dancer
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
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