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 Det. Lt. Agustin Rejas
as Det. Sgt. Sucre
as Yolanda
as Llosa
as Sylvina
as Merino
as Calderon
as Laura
as Clorindo
as Ezequiel/Duran
as Laura
as Gomez
as Pascual
as Marina
as Santiago
as Sgt. Pisac
as Major Kwan
as Quesada
as Quesada's Wife
as Chinese Ambassadress
as Quesada's Bodyguard
as Admiral Prado
as Model
as Judge
as TV Producer
as Father Ramon
as Woman in Pick-up/Edith Pusanga
as Indian No. 1 in Pick-up
as Indian No. 2 in Pick-up
as TV Technician
as Shanty Girl
as Shanty Policeman
as Manager
as Bomb Boy
as Soldier No. 1
as Captain Montesinos
as Maria
as Patricia
as Theatre Manager
as Woman in Theatre
as Vera
as Nurse
as Army Colonel
as Boy with a Poster
as Woman in Convertible
as Man in Convertible
as Coca Cola Cap
as Radio Announcer
as Radio Announcer/Student
as Radio Announcer
as Radio Announcer
as Abimael Guzman
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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
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
An intelligent, riveting, tense and nerve wrecking thriller. skillful and remarkable. Malkovich gives and outstanding directional debut. Javier Bardem delivers an astonishing performance. It's as thrilling as it is inriuging.
Super Reviewer
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