Mao's Last Dancer
Mao's Last Dancer Image
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Metascore
55 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Bruce Greenwood, Chi Cao, Kyle MacLachlan
  • Summary: A drama based on the autobiography by Li Cunxin. At the age of 11, Li was plucked from a poor Chinese village by Madame Mao's cultural delegates and taken to Beijing to study ballet. In 1979, during a cultural exchange to Texas, he fell in love with an American woman. Two years later, he managed to defect and went on to perform as a principal dancer for the Houston Ballet and as a principal artist with the Australian Ballet.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. New York Observer
    Reviewed by: Rex Reed
    100
    This first-cabin director returns to top form, with this revelatory film his best in years. More than that, Mao's Last Dancer is a masterpiece.
  2. Boxoffice Magazine
    Reviewed by: Pete Hammond
    80
    Will appeal to upscale adult audiences with its mix of gorgeous Chinese locations, splendid dance sequences and compelling personal story.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Peter Brunette
    60
    Like most films in this underdog genre, the emotional manipulation of the audience is constant and obvious.
  4. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    30
    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.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. EdwinLopez
    10
    I loved this movie, and I don't usually like stories based on true stories. It was definitely a masterpiece and I can't wait to watch it again. I'm not much into ballet but the story was so good that I enjoyed every minute of it. I even has a tear in my eye at the end of the movie because it touched my heart so much. Must see!… Collapse
  2. PHL
    10
    I agree with Rex Reed. This is a masterpiece. I do not believe the audience is being manipulated. After all, this is based on a true story. It's a moving story and depicts the triumph of art, freedom and knowing your own heart. Chi Cao is magnificant.… Expand
  3. BHBarry
    10
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  4. BrandonBonasera
    6
    A well-made, well-acted and interesting adaptation of the true story that is just as good as the book.

See all 6 User Reviews

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