The Dancer Upstairs (2002)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Javier Bardem is compelling in the lead role as a police detective in search of a violent, mysterious politcal radical, and as a director, John Malkovich proves adept at crafting a suspenseful mood.
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Cast
as Abimael Guzman
as Det. Lt. Agustin Rejas
as Yolanda
as Det. Sgt. Sucre
as Woman in Theatre
as Merino
as Llosa
as Ezequiel/Duran
as Pascual
as Calderon
as Major Kwan
as Sylvina
as Clorindo
as Laura
as Admiral Prado
as TV Producer
as Nurse
as Father Ramon
as Judge
as Gomez
as Quesada's Wife
as Quesada's Bodyguard
as Boy with a Poster
as Radio Announcer
as Marina
as Laura
as Captain Montesinos
as Santiago
as Vera
as TV Technician
as Theatre Manager
as Sgt. Pisac
as Quesada
as Chinese Ambassadress
as Model
as Woman in Pick-up/Edith Pusanga
as Indian No. 1 in Pick-up
as Indian No. 2 in Pick-up
as Shanty Girl
as Shanty Policeman
as Manager
as Bomb Boy
as Soldier No. 1
as Maria
as Patricia
as Army Colonel
as Woman in Convertible
as Man in Convertible
as Coca Cola Cap
as Radio Announcer/Student
as Radio Announcer
as Radio Announcer
News & Interviews for The Dancer Upstairs
Critic Reviews for The Dancer Upstairs
All Critics (114) | Top Critics (37) | Fresh (73) | Rotten (41) | DVD (10)
The Dancer Upstairs is, like its director, sleek, mysterious and intelligent. But until its last-half hour or so, it is also, unfortunately, mind-numbing.
It thrives on the hush before the explosion instead of its aftermath, and it's that eerie sense of expectation that gives the film its thick aura of suspense.
It is not revolutionary, but it brims with promise and a love of film, and is a fine if worried dance indeed.
Moving, melancholy, and, yes, political.
Reflects its director, being intelligent and elegantly turned-out but distant.
Bardem's performance lingers in ways that give the movie resonance.
Audience Reviews for The Dancer Upstairs
Moody and terrific. Acting, story, directing, filming work together to create something special. Bardem is steamy and has incredible chemistry with lead actress. Political but not to the point of overshadowing the characters.
A hugely promising directorial debut by John Malkovich, this is a stunning political thriller. Javier Bardem is perfect as an ambitious police captain, saddled with a materialistic wife, who finds himself falling for his daughter's dancing teacher while hunting for a revolutionary leader in an unnamed Latin American state. Intelligent, disturbing, suspenseful, romantic and, finally, moving, the film is perfectly paced and very well photographed. Strongly recommended.
Super Reviewer
A very solid directorial effort from Malkovich, with flaws and everything. Bardem is spot on in the main role.
Super Reviewer
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