Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- earnest
- romantic
- uplifting
- inspirational movie night
- dance film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as an earnest and visually accomplished true-life dance drama whose inspirational story is stronger than its conventional execution.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Li Cunxin's training under Maoist cultural authorities contrasts with his eventual defection and international ballet career.
Li falls in love with American woman Elizabeth Mackey during his Texas cultural exchange.
Li's ballet performances express his transformation from impoverished village child to internationally recognized dancer.
The plot follows Li from a poor Chinese village through rigorous training to principal roles with Houston and Australian ballet companies.
Films like Mao’s Last Dancer, and why
Billy Elliot
inspirational biographical drama about artistic ambition, migration, and overcoming social constraints
The Red Shoes
dance-centered coming-of-age drama balancing family expectations, class barriers, and artistic self-discovery
Shine
true-story drama about an artist pursuing creative freedom against restrictive institutions
The Pianist
emotionally direct immigrant success story shaped by political repression and personal sacrifice
Movie Details
- Director
- Bruce Beresford
- Release Date
- 2009-10-01
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (125)
Cast
- Bruce Greenwood
- Kyle MacLachlan
- Joan Chen
- Chi Cao
- Amanda Schull
- Wang Shuangbao
- Aden Young
- Jack Thompson
- Penne Hackforth-Jones
- Chengwu Guo
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Mao’s Last Dancer about?
- A gifted village boy becomes a world-class ballet dancer while fighting for artistic freedom, love, and the right to choose his own home.
- What is Mao’s Last Dancer like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mao’s Last Dancer as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Mao’s Last Dancer violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Mao’s Last Dancer as mild.
- What did critics think of Mao’s Last Dancer?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as an earnest and visually accomplished true-life dance drama whose inspirational story is stronger than its conventional execution.
- Which films are like Mao’s Last Dancer?
- Films with a similar feel include Billy Elliot, The Red Shoes, Shine, and The Pianist.
- How long is Mao’s Last Dancer?
- Mao’s Last Dancer runs 117 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mao’s Last Dancer?
- In United States, Mao’s Last Dancer streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
