MAO’S LAST DANCER (Released to the Toronto International Film Festival, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Stars ìììì

Mao’s Last Dancer—barely broke even in box office—but is a remarkable ‘don’t miss it’ show. It’s based on the book, Mao’s Last Dancer, the true story of Li Cunxin, a Chinese ballet dancer trained in both Chinese and classical Russian Ballet, who China allowed to study under the United States Houston Ballet Company. The film examines Li Cunxin’s rigorous Chinese childhood training program, his success, and the impact study within the United States had on his personal life.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Li Cunxin (Chi Cao) is removed from his family and village as a young child for professional dance training with Madam Mao’s Dance Academy in China. His success receives notice from the Houston Ballet Company’s dance instructor, Ben Stevenson (Bruce Greenwood), who invites him to train with the United States team.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Bruce Beresford for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Troy Lum for making the film possible. Great musical scoring by Christopher Gordon. Thank you to script writer Jan Sardi for script writing efforts. Cast include: Bruce Greenwood, Penne Hackforth-Jones, Christopher Kirby, Suzie Steen, Madeleine Eastoe, Aden Young, Wen Bin Huang, Shu Guang Liang, and Ye Wang.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a terrific film that automatically generates excellent opportunity for family conversation through the wide range of history, politics, culture, and creative dance endeavor. It’s an outstanding choice for the child/adult share film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TENDER MERCIES (Theatrical Release USA 1983)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Tender Mercies is an okay film that is not meant to entertain or really touch the heart. The movie works very much in the cold truth of the realities of life, losing, re-evaluating, and starting up again. Robert Duvall perfectly catches the tone of the story and gives an exceptional performance as an alcoholic who works to find a place in the world he finds himself in. If the audience is looking for ‘feel good, escape,’ this film does not give that. It does show how to stabilize life at a level where other options can be explored if one desires or becomes well enough to examine other options. It’s not joyful, hopeful, or happy. It is the tough and gritty reality of life in stasis and in the process of healing.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This drama film is about a washed-up country music star who begins a new life in a small town. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Bruce Beresford for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Philip S. Hobel for making the film possible. Cast includes: Robert Duvall, Tess Harper. Betty Buckley, Wilford Brimley, and Ellen Barkin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is interesting and can be an educational watch to view stabilization after deep emotional hurt. But, it can be a ‘downer’ watch because from one perspective the main character seems to fail in almost everything he does in life and wallows in it. On the other hand, he does find a life and establishes order from chaos as he maintains that life. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers