Mao's Last Dancer (2010)

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

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.

The most impressive part of this film is when Li (Chi Cao) would dance. He floated across the stage to some incredibly beautiful music. Seeing him dance was worth the time invested in the film.Director Bruce Beresford (Tender Mercies, Driving Miss Daisy) manages to keep tugging at your heartstrings throughout, especially in the scenes in China.It was a little melodramatic outside of the dancing and that keeps it from being rated higher.You certainly can't help becoming emotional at the final scenes in Houston and in China.

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.

Mao's Last Dancer is based on the autobiography of the same name by Li Cunxin. The film takes place in Communist China during the reign of Mao Zedong. It focuses on a young boy named Li, who is one day chosen out of all the other students in his classroom at school to go and study ballet. Li ends up going and becomes friends with his one teacher and soon is chosen to go and perform in America where he eventually grows up into a young man. While in America, Li learns the cultural differences between the states and where he was from in China. With more practice and the support of many people behind him, Li soon becomes one of America and China's best ballet dancers, but while in America, Li misses his family back home and soon will have to make a tough decision whether to stay in America with his new friends and success, or go back to China, and see his family and friends there. As, I mentioned Mao's Last Dancer is based on a true story and before I saw this film, I had never heard of Li Cunxin, or heard his story. I was so glad I saw Mao's Last Dancer though. The film is captivating from start to finish. It was fascinating to see Li grow up in his homeland of China, and learn the politics and cultures there because they do play an important part of the story and seeing how one unlike yourself lives and the country's politics and environment and learning about it was fascinating to me. When Li is in America it is also very interesting because we see him growing up and adapting to American culture, which he was very unaware or not used to having grown up in China because of their different political system and way of life. Li's teenage years to an adult play out just like a typical teenager's in many ways, but Li stays focused on what is best for him and will do anything to achieve his dreams and make his parents back home proud. The story is so intriguing and touching that I really looked forward to seeing how it would turn out for Li and the people he loved and cared about. The film was masterfully put together with a great adapted script and good performances from the entire cast. The sets and production values were very impressive as well, showing the different cultures and look of things between China and America. Mao's Last Dancer is the type of film that draws you into it within the first few seconds and will keep you interested. Also because of the likable and well drawn out characters we get to care for them and by the last half of the movie I actually felt like standing up and cheering at this film because of how beautiful and touching it was, but also how inspirational and well done it was. This film put a huge smile on my face and improved my mood for the rest of the evening. This really is a great feel good film with good morals and a great and moving story. The film is only rated PG, and there is really nothing too much objectionable in here, so I think this would be a great film for whole families to go to. Yes, there are some subtitles when in takes place in China, but none of the words are difficult and I just see this as a film that the whole family will enjoy because it really has something in it for everyone. The craftsmanship of the behind the scenes work of the film, what we see before us and a triumphant story that will leave you applauding and cheering. This film is one if not the best feel good film of the year and it does it without being sappy, or melodramatic and it is actually really well made and fascinating as well. This film was fantastic and along with The Social Network, this is so far the best film I have seen of 2010. Go and see it at once.