This film is about a young ballet dancer from Communist China, who goes to Houston for an academic exchange. As his horizons have been broadened, he makes decisions that changed his life forever.
It is too easy to criticise China's dark history, but "Mao's Last Dancer" portrays Communist China back in the 1970's in a relatively neutral way. The people, costumes, how people behaved, and the collective mentality are all convincing yet without negative light. I would have believed it if someone told me it was a Chinese film.
Some may say Li was selfish, as his decision could have severely adversely affected his family members in China. It is the struggle between this and the desire to want more of what's in the Pandora's box that makes "Mao's Last Dancer" captivating.
Of course, the plentiful ballad dance sequences are mesmerising as well. I also liked the way Li's English progressed as time goes by. Another striking thing was the lack of subtitles in the most tear-jerking scene of the final emotional climax, as if it is to be felt, empathise and savour, which requires no words.
It is too easy to criticise China's dark history, but "Mao's Last Dancer" portrays Communist China back in the 1970's in a relatively neutral way. The people, costumes, how people behaved, and the collective mentality are all convincing yet without negative light. I would have believed it if someone told me it was a Chinese film.
Some may say Li was selfish, as his decision could have severely adversely affected his family members in China. It is the struggle between this and the desire to want more of what's in the Pandora's box that makes "Mao's Last Dancer" captivating.
Of course, the plentiful ballad dance sequences are mesmerising as well. I also liked the way Li's English progressed as time goes by. Another striking thing was the lack of subtitles in the most tear-jerking scene of the final emotional climax, as if it is to be felt, empathise and savour, which requires no words.