Movie: The Dancer Upstairs
Starring Javier Bardem And Laura Morante; Directed By John Malkovich
Written By Nicolas Shakespeare (Focus Features)
Reviewed by Rusty Pipes

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The poster for The Dancer Upstairs makes it seem a lot sexier than it really is. The story is about an idealistic policeman, Agustin Rejas, played by Javier Bardem, who is asked by the state police to hunt down a dangerous terrorist in an unnamed South American country. He wrestles with himself over what he must do and along the way he finds himself getting interested in his daughter's dance teacher, Yolanda, played by Laura Morante.

This is John Malkovich's first directorial effort and he chooses to keep his audience in suspense through most of the movie. There are short scenes involving a lot of action, but mostly the movie is pretty cerebral. You wonder if Rejas really wants to be working for the powers that be. You wonder how Ezequiel the terrorist is able to motivate children to blow themselves up for his cause. Strangely the love between Rejas and Yolanda is never quite realized, but it does play a pivotal role in the final scene.

The Dancer Upstairs owes a lot to the classic by Costa-Gravas, State Of Siege. It is undeniably excellent for a first time director effort, but it moves awfully slowly and I had trouble identifying what Malkovich was trying to say with this film.

The Skinny:
Am I glad I saw the film? Yes
Would I go to see it again? Some of the questions might be answered in a second look, I suspect I'd like the film more.

© 2003 - Rusty Pipes