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Mao's Last Dancer Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    55

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 30

    out of 100

    The New York Times Mike Hale

    The final image - a freeze frame of a pas de deux staged to resemble a triumphal Communist poster - perfectly captures the film's overall effect: it's strenuously brainless.

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  • 60

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times

    Director Bruce Beresford ("Driving Miss Daisy") knows how to tug heartstrings but as he moves the inspirational material toward its tear-jerker finale, it's often hampered by awkward melodrama.

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  • 60

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter

    Like most films in this underdog genre, the emotional manipulation of the audience is constant and obvious.

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  • 70

    out of 100

    Variety

    The story lights up when world-class performer Chi Cao leaps about as the adult Li, but is marred by lumpy melodrama when the music stops.

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  • 70

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    The film celebrates artistic freedom without preaching a sermon, and often flies when Mr. Chi is on screen. When he is on stage, spinning and leaping to the strains of magnificent music, the film soars.

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  • See all Mao's Last Dancer reviews at Metacritic.com

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 4.679
Read all reviews Write a review at Fandango
5

remarkable, astonishing life story of a man by howcanierasemyaccount
The movie is adapted from the best-seller autobiography of the ballet and dancer Li Cunxing. I enjoyed the movie very much, especially the ballet scenes. it is true that acting wasn't excellent and sometimes the movie was letting you hang in the air but I haven't heard of Li Cunxing before this movie, and I am planing to read his autobiography soon. Movies are not always about taking us from our mundane worlds and put us in to a fantasy world which seems like real to us, it is also about educating us.

5

deeply meaningful by statik
a movie that qualifies as an experience--incredible script, character depth, plot depth, superb acting, sych beaiutiful choreography--Bruce Greenwood puts in a performance for the ages--Chi Cao who plays the adult Li should be up for multiple lead actor awards---it is not too often that i will see a movie before reading the book, but this is the exception---i can't wait to find out what the was left out of the screenplay! also the look into communist china gives an appreciation of no matter what, the usa is the place to be!!--In this day day & age to see an exceptional movie that truly is a pleasure to watch is so so rare -- a 5 star rating!!

5

Mao's Last Dancer by murray161
Finally, an adult movie without the gratuitous violence, sex, and foul language- and this from a macho guy,

4

by Ani_g

5

by Riverdale guy

5

Five Word Review by EricaRyan
beautiful moving insperational lovely dancing

5

Mao's Last Dancer by artmmos
I am not a ballet fan but picture was great. All should see it.

5

MAO'S LAST DANCER by danser444
Entertaining and moved well. There was more dancing in it than expected....nice! Makes you appreciate what we have in America. Anyone that dances would love this movie....especially the ballerinas out there.

Read all Mao's Last Dancer reviews at Fandango
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