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THE DANCER UPSTAIRS Send This Review to a Friend
Oppression, revolution, terrorism, a police hunt and love are the explosive mix in "The Dancer Upstairs," a feature film directorial debut by John Malkovich, also a co-producer. The possibilities are more interesting than the accomplishment. There is a mix of the tantalizing and the murky, making the result a peculiar experience. For all its ingredients, "The Dancer Upstairs," written by Nicholas Shakespeare based on his novel, misses the opportunity to click as a political thriller.
Set in an unnamed Latin American country where corruption and evil reigns, a mysterious revolutionary named Ezequiel is leading a guerilla battle to overthrow the government. A policeman, Augustin Rejas, is hunting for Ezequiel, and the portrayal of Rejas by the excellent actor Javier Bardem is the high point of the drama. Rejas has a young daughter who is being taught ballet by Yolanda, played by the fetching Laura Morante, with whom Rejas becomes involved. What else is there about Yolanda that we should know?
The story set-up, with a rush of melodrama at the finale, has potential, but Malkovich's direction lacks punch. It's as if he is lost in the intricacies of his subject, and that makes the nonetheless ambitious and interesting film more moody and contrived than exciting, but still worth seeing. A Fox Searchlight Pictures release.
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