The Dancer Upstairs Reviews

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Top Critic
Brandon Judell
indieWire
July 19, 2018
With a clever Graham-Greene-esque script, choice acting by the whole ensemble (especially Bardem), fine music by Alberto Iglesias, and the strong directorial control of Malkovich, the film zips along.
Full Review
Philip Kerr
New Statesman
December 6, 2014
The Dancer Upstairs is intelligently scripted, beautifully photographed, nicely paced and well-acted.
Full Review
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
June 9, 2006
Though flawed and listless as a political drama or thriller, Malkovich's feature debut deserves credit for itis ambition and for tackling an overtly political theme (guerrilla wars in Peru), a rare sight in today's indie milieu.
Full Review | Original Score: B-

Film Threat
December 6, 2005
Full Review | Original Score: 4/5
Tony Medley
tonymedley.com
October 7, 2004
Full Review | Original Score: 8/10
Pablo Villaça
Cinema em Cena
April 25, 2004
Em sua estréia na direção, Malkovich conduz a história com segurança e sem exibicionismo, enquanto Bardem oferece mais uma grande atuação.
Original Score: 4/5
Matt Kelemen
Las Vegas CityLife
March 3, 2004
'Shakespeare retooled his novel for the screen adaptation ... It is Malkovich who reinjects the mystery, along with a little magic.'
Full Review
Jurgen Fauth
About.com
October 8, 2003
Engaging.
Original Score: 3/5
Jennie Kermode
Eye for Film
October 5, 2003
Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5

Film Threat
July 16, 2003
Full Review | Original Score: 4/5

Sunday Times (Australia)
July 7, 2003
Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
June 25, 2003
Filled with tension and a genuine air of uncertainty, Malkovich has delivered a truly riveting film.
Full Review
Lawrence Toppman
Charlotte Observer
June 20, 2003
This is John Malkovich's directing debut, and it has elements we associate with his personality: puckishness, dark humor, questioning of authority, villains on all levels who can be charismatic.
Full Review
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
June 11, 2003
One of the most chilling political thrillers in years.
Full Review | Original Score: A
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
May 29, 2003
I'm not sure that I have ever seen a more compelling picture of sudden violence as is depicted here - Malkovich's approach is apt, since the film takes place in a world where terrorist acts are the order of the day.
Full Review | Original Score: 4/5
Steven Snyder
Zertinet Movies
May 28, 2003
Suddenly, the film's contrivances make sense and its shortcomings are nearly made up for in a final, haunting sequence.
Full Review | Original Score: 3/4
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews
May 27, 2003
The screenplay [of "The Dancer Upstairs"] works more than it doesn't but there isn't the chemistry between the stars I would like to see.
Full Review | Original Score: B
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
May 26, 2003
Just the type of carefully wrought, somewhat chilly, rather pretentious and extremely intelligent effort one would expect from Malkovich.
Original Score: 3/4
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com
May 24, 2003
Full Review | Original Score: B-
Duane Dudek
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
May 23, 2003
A haunting and deliberate, complex and occasionally convoluted dance between fanaticism and stoicism.
Original Score: 3/4
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