Dancer Upstairs, the: Amazon.ca: DVD: DVD

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From Amazon.com

Marking an assured directorial debut for actor John Malkovich, The Dancer Upstairs is a tense, nerve-jangling political thriller that values adult storytelling and emotional depth over cheap thrills. It's a challenge for those accustomed to the frantic pace of Hollywood thrillers, but attentive viewers will be richly rewarded by Malkovich's slow-burn approach to the film's terrorist plot, adapted by Nicholas Shakespeare from his own novel, based on the "Shining Path" movement that terrorized Peru in the 1980s. The plot unfolds in an unnamed Latin American capital, where a lawyer-turned-police detective named Rejas (Javier Bardem) leads an investigation to locate Ezequiel, a terrorist whose followers have left a trail of fear, death and destruction across the city. Rejas falls in love with his daughter's ballet teacher (Laura Morante), but the film's ultimate revelation--a coincidence that Malkovich handles with credible delicacy--throws this simmering drama into stark relief, bringing Bardem's character (and his subtle performance) to a greater awareness of his own personal and political humanity. --Jeff Shannon

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Customer Reviews

23 Reviews

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
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Average Customer Review

3.5 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars captivating drama with flawless acting, Mar 29 2007

By

Illiniwek "laxdoc" (New Westminster, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dancer Upstairs, the (DVD)

From the first scene till the last this film captured my attention and imagination and drew me into the lives of each of the characters, central and peripheral. This is acting the way it should be done -- so much expressed with a glance, a hesitation, a gesture, and the dialogue crisp, intelligent and witty without a wasted word. The exquisite poignancy of the final scene could not have been presented by a typically heavy handed American director; Malkovich here directs in a style reminiscent of the most gifted European directors of the 60's and 70's. This is a remarkable film which only improves with successive viewings. Of the 7000+ films I've seen it ranks among my favourite 20 both on artistic merit and pure enjoyment.

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4.0 out of 5 stars An Elegant and Moody Thriller, July 17 2004

By

Debbie Lee Wesselmann (the Lehigh Valley, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dancer Upstairs, the (DVD)

In "The Dancer Upstairs," John Malkovich delivers a complex, moody crime drama set in a Latin American city. Ambivalent police captain Rejas (Javier Bardem) is assigned to track down Ezequiel, an elusive revolutionary terrorist, and his followers. As explosions rage around the city, Rejas and his team race to discover the identity of their man. Unlike an ordinary cop drama, the film gives Rejas's personal life weight. He is caught in a listless marriage and falls in love with his daughter's ballet teacher Yolanda, well played by Laura Morante. In this film, however, nothing is cut-and-dried, and even Rejas's emotional attachment to Yolanda has its dark twists.

Although the plot itself is suspenseful, much of the tension in this film is created through cinematography and directorial decisions - close-ups, shots of the setting, the use of color, the spare music. The acting is understated, making the few outbursts explosive in context. Bardem has so carefully drawn his character under his skin that he conveys a range of emotions through his expressions and gestures, giving his character a subtly only gifted actors can achieve.

My biggest complaint about this film was the heavily accented actors speaking in English. I'm sure I missed some of the complexity simply because I couldn't understand all of what was being said. I would have much preferred a Spanish language film with subtitles, an appropriate choice given the setting and the performers. It has all the feel of a foreign film, so why not go all the way?

Viewers who expect a Hollywood thriller should look elsewhere, as this might be best described as a well-plotted art house film. I highly recommend it for those who are willing to accept the slower pace of psychological intensity.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Good effort, Jun 16 2004

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Hiram Gomez Pardo (Valencia, Venezuela) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dancer Upstairs, the (DVD)

Malkovich made a worthy effort to carry this movie to the promised land but the script is the ship that allows you to reach the goal and this is the fault of this movie.
The script lacks the dramatic continuity , you feel the ravishing presence of Javier Bardem , but a good cast doesn't garantee you a good result.
The narrative web which supports the drama is fragile , and obviously the film results predictable at the end. Laura Morante makes a good work .
Stunning visual locations.

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Most recent customer reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars The worst actor-Ramiro Jimenez
I was highly unimpressed by Ramiro Jimenez. Go back to teaching...your no star! You stink like rotten bananas!!

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