English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), Spanish (Dubbed), English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), French (Original Language)
Though this movie is slow moving and quiet, it is one of the finest films I've seen in forever. Javier Bardem is amazing. No question. The music is spare but affecting (and one of the most memorable parts of this film). I don't want to give away any of the plot but this is a real thinker's love story (in the midst of a terrorist revolution-in-the-making backdrop), smart, brilliant, surprising in every way without gratuitous sex scenes and cheesy, predictable "happily ever after" endings. Malkovich is a genius. Bardem makes you feel his pain. A must see for any smart film lover. Can't recommend enough.
Rating
Date
April 06, 2005
Summary
The Dancer Upstairs: the wreck of unmotivated violence
Content
Augustin Rejas is a former attorney. Disillusioned, he has decided to join the police force in the hopes that he might obviate the rulings of a corrupt court system. Once he has established himself as an Investigator, he is ordered to assemble a small team and to look into a series of events that may or may not be the makings of united revolutionary activity. There are bombings, suicide bombings, assassinations, brown outs and other unmentionable acts of violence committed throughout this unnamed Latin American country. And the perpetrators are a seemingly random assembly of men, women and children, drawn, with no discernable criteria, from the indigenous poor, their Spanish-descended rulers and the buffering middle classes. The violence may occur at any moment, in any degree and from out of any direction; the tension is unbearable.
Inspector Rejas is a massive still presence. His principle investigative instruments are a fascination for fact, an impassive stare and an unrelenting deliberative nature. And with these, he does eventually determine the identity of the leader of this goalless revolution: a former university professor, known only as Ezekiel. But Ezekiel is an empty revelation: Rejas was never really looking for who but for why.
The Dancer Upstairs is commonly described as a political thriller-a misnomer that may dissuade you from recognizing it as a work of another and higher intellectual order. It is, rather, a meditation on the horror of things inexplicable. We are presented with a puzzling succession of events for which we, like Inspector Rejas, must provide an explicating narrative of some sort. Our motivation is the desire to repair the imbalance, to eliminate the random, violent variables that have wrecked our equation for the peace of meaning. The name "Ezequiel" seems to want to point to something, as do the slogans, the posters and the suicidal dedication of Ezequiel's followers. But they are only so many empty ciphers. And while the revelation is admittedly painful, we should remember that Inspector Rejas--the element of good with whom we will identify--is himself a kind of cipher: inexplicably strong, honest, determined. But he is--if for no ultimately satisfactory reason--a satisfactory counter to the damnable example of Ezequiel.
Rating
Date
March 26, 2005
Summary
Beautifully handled and very tense!
Content
This is a movie that grows on you and you better be prepared. It ain't Hollywood...it's a slow creep along with a lot of tough stuff to follow, but all of it comes together...finally...and it is then most satisfying.
I wanted to watch it again immediately!
Thanks John M, and Javier Bardem is simply masculine...ala Crowe in LA Confidential but without the violence.
It isn't 5 but it is 4 stars!
The richness of the "text" is amazing and thanks to Shakespeare, not the Bard, who wrote the novel and the screenplay. The settings are miraculous and meticulously rendered. The mood is subtle and fine.
IQ required for enjoying this film: Over 125. (I bet that Malkovitch is about 140+!)
It may sound strange, but if you liked Diabolique, you will love this one too!
I just bought a few to send to friends as sophisticated gifts.
(Note: As a political scientist, I only had some trouble with the penultimate words that are so naive of the lovely ballet lady!...such bull, but no matter...that's not the point. It is a mood piece by John.)
Thanks! Enjoy!
Rating
Date
January 01, 2005
Summary
A film worth seeing
Content
I found this movie riveting, primarily because of the sensitive and unbelievably graceful performance by Javier Bardem as Agustin Rejas, the policeman whose job it is to capture the mysterious guerilla leader Ezequiel. I felt the political commentary almost became secondary, because Bardem captures the screen with his beautiful, expressive face. His concentration on his job, his patience with his shallow wife, his love for his daughter..... all emotions are eloquently displayed, needing little dialogue. When he does speak, his voice is soft and powerful. Bardem lends a certain nobility to this role, and he really becomes Agustin.
His desire for the ballet teacher is palpable, yet he doesn't rush and is excruciatingly hesitant and tender, waiting for a response from her.
I thought Malkovich did a pretty good job directing his first film, although sometimes the violence was a little gratuitous, and I was bothered by the "scene switching" that goes on occasionally. If a viewer wasn't "up" on the politics of the time, it could be very confusing. Interesting locations in Equador and Peru. I'm kind of surprised that this film was in English, as almost all the actors are Spanish speaking . Bardem rises to the occasion with really fluent English with a charming Spanish accent. The wonderful Nina Simone song at the end leaves a lasting impression. A thoughtful movie really worth seeing!
Rating
Date
November 20, 2004
Summary
Great, great movie
Content
This is one of the best movies I have ever watched. It surpasses the novel, which I enjoyed immensely. Its only flaw is that it was filmed in English, even though most of the actors' native tongue is Spanish. Javier Bardem is a gem, and so are the police chief, and Bardem's film subordinates.
Picture 01 (20)