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The Dancer Upstairs

Play trailer Poster for The Dancer Upstairs R 2003 2h 13m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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64% Tomatometer 114 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
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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The Dancer Upstairs

The Dancer Upstairs

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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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Critics Reviews

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Brandon Judell IndieWire 07/19/2018
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. Go to Full Review Philip Kerr New Statesman 12/06/2014
The Dancer Upstairs is intelligently scripted, beautifully photographed, nicely paced and well-acted. Go to Full Review Jay Boyar Orlando Sentinel 05/23/2003
2/5
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. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 06/09/2006
B-
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. Go to Full Review Film Threat 12/06/2005
4/5
Film Threat 12/06/2005
2.5/5
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Audience Reviews

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Robert M @Texflex Dec 21 Solid movie - well acted. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Jul 17 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more bob c 12/27/2024 Xavier Bardem lands the villain role in No Country for Old Men, by playing quite the opposite in this political he dun it. A lovely elegy on political violence in South America. Mostly, however, it makes me regret John Malkovich didn’t do more directing instead of lurching onto what became a near hysterical form of self parody acting. See more 12/07/2021 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. See more 08/01/2017 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 See more 06/18/2017 okay but pacing was a bit slow See more Read all reviews
The Dancer Upstairs

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Dancer Upstairs

The Dancer Upstairs (2002) The Dancer Upstairs (2002) A scene from the film "The Dancer Upstairs." View more photos

Movie Info

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
Producer
John Malkovich, Andrés Vicente Gómez
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
Runtime
2h 13m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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