Saturday, February 26, 2011

Movie review – “Mao’s Last Dancer” (2009) **1/2

Accomplished, professional filmmaking which certainly found an audience. It didn’t really light my fire, but I can see it’s appeal: solid story, hero who overcomes obstacles, good villain (Chinese communists), lots of ballet dancing. Good on the filmmakers for not wimping out with the cast – the lead really can dance, and can act pretty good too. Also good on them for doing a lot of it in Chinese. Although it’s an Australian film, it’s not really an Australian story – yes, I know the lead guy moved out here, but really it’s about Chinese and Americans. The Aussie actors in the cast- Aden Young, Penny Hackworth-Jones and Jack Thompson – are awkward. Not my cup of tea – but people like it.

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