Mao's Last Dancer

“Mao’s Last Dancer” stars Bruce Greenwood, Chi Cao, Joan Chen and Kyle MacLachlan
Based on the best selling Australian book by author Li Cunxin, this is the story of a Chinese ballet dancer, Mr. Cunxin, who attempts to chronicle his life from the sixth child of a Chinese peasant family to the artistic heights of the Houston ballet.. Written by Mr. Cunxin and Jan Sardi the film was directed by Bruce Beresford (“Tender Mercies”, “Driving Miss Daisy”). Unfortunately, the film tries too hard to create heart tugging moments to the background of world famous ballets but without much success. Mr. Cao’s dancing is, of course, noteworthy as is his acting but the film creates in the viewer the feeling that we are simply “going through the story” without much depth or sincerity. I give this film 2 stars with a question mark why so many people are recommending it. As an aside, although Mr. Greenwood’s acting is likewise appreciated, his attempting to portray a gay musical director has an almost SNL appeal to it when it could have been done with much more subtlety and class. Ms. Chen and Mr. MacLachlan, however, stand out, as the dependable actors we have come to know them to be.