The Dancer Upstairs

R

Released May 2, 2003

2 hr. 13 min.

Drama

List

64%

114 Reviews

Tomatometer

76%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Lawyer turned police detective Agustin Rejas (Javier Bardem) is on the case of a domestic terrorist cell whose tactics range from the mischievous to the homicidal, led by self-proclaimed President Ezequiel (Abel Folk). Distracting Rejas from his investigation is his daughter's dance instructor, Yolanda (Laura Morante), with whom Rejas begins an unexpected romance. As Rejas grows closer to both Yolanda and the terrorists, he begins to suspect that there might be a connection between the two.

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Critics Consensus

The Dancer Upstairs benefits from a talented cast and alluring intelligence, although pacing problems prevent this John Malkovich-directed mystery from reaching its full potential.

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Audience Member

Good Movie that I'm not sure why I watched it. It's about a South American Revolution movement and partially a love story. Javier Bardem is in it and ultimately why I gave it a go. Nothing special, but still a good movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

After giving this film some thought, I liked it a lot more after thinking about it. I thought the pacing was a bit slow and sometimes the romance and political tension seemed to butt heads, convoluting one story from going full steam ahead. However, each character is brimmed with unique features that really make you feel for them, and Bardem's relationship with his daughters ballet teacher really game full circle after thinking it over. The ending scene with his daughter and the beautiful song being played really captures the essence of the film as well

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

okay but pacing was a bit slow

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Good film. The last scene, the music and images of his daughter broke my heart.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

william s

Bardem's performance alone is worth the watch and add in a good,tense story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

As a Latin American nation nears collapse under a highly organized terrorist movement, idealistic policeman Agustin Rejas faces the greatest challenge of his career: to catch the mysterious guerilla leader Ezequiel. The brains behind the bloody revolution that threatens to bring the government and entire country down, Ezequiel is as elusive as Rejas' superiors are corrupt--an irony not lost on Rejas, who left a career as a lawyer to try to find "a more honorable way of practicing the law." The military's response to the brutal tactics of Ezequiel's followers is equally ferocious, creating an atmosphere of mass panic. In the midst of the chaos, Rejas finds respite in Yolanda, his daughter's soulfully beautiful ballet teacher. But she, who appears to be a shelter from the storm, may in actuality be the storm's eye. As Rejas draws nearer to the man who considers himself to be the "Fourth Flame of Communism," he and the dancer he loves will be forced to choose between love, country and self. Most memorable quote: " The soldiers rape every woman in the villages; it's not a revolution; it's a fuckaton"

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

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John Malkovich

Director

Javier Bardem

Agustin Rejas

Juan Diego Botto

Sucre

Laura Morante

Yolanda

Elvira Mínguez

Liosa

Alexandra Lencastre

Sylvina

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Brandon Judell

indieWire

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.

Jul 19, 2018

Full Review

Philip Kerr

New Statesman

The Dancer Upstairs is intelligently scripted, beautifully photographed, nicely paced and well-acted.

Dec 6, 2014

Full Review

Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

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.

Rated: 2/5

May 23, 2003

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

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.

Rated: B-

Jun 9, 2006

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 4/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 2.5/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

Lawyer turned police detective Agustin Rejas (Javier Bardem) is on the case of a domestic terrorist cell whose tactics range from the mischievous to the homicidal, led by self-proclaimed President Ezequiel (Abel Folk). Distracting Rejas from his investigation is his daughter's dance instructor, Yolanda (Laura Morante), with whom Rejas begins an unexpected romance. As Rejas grows closer to both Yolanda and the terrorists, he begins to suspect that there might be a connection between the two.

Director: John Malkovich
Executive Producer: Russell Smith, Lianne Halfon
Screenwriter: Nicholas Shakespeare, Nicholas Shakespeare
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: Paramount
Rating: R (Strong Violence|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 2, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 18, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.4M
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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