The Dancer Upstairs (2002)

63% of critics liked it
(112 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(4,619 ratings)

Actor John Malkovich made his directorial debut with this tense political thriller, set in an unnamed Latin American nation and based on a novel by Nicholas Shakespeare. Agustin Rejas (Javier Bardem) is a former lawyer who became a police detective as a more direct way of dealing with crime and… More Actor John Malkovich made his directorial debut with this tense political thriller, set in an unnamed Latin American nation and based on a novel by Nicholas Shakespeare. Agustin Rejas (Javier Bardem) is a former lawyer who became a police detective as a more direct way of dealing with crime and justice. Rejas has been assigned to investigate a group of terrorists who are determined to up-end the current government through any means necessary, from revolting pranks (such as leaving dead animals, painted with revolutionary rhetoric, around the capitol building) to bombings and assassinations. Rejas knows little about the terrorists, and no one on the force is certain of the identity or whereabouts of the group's leader, who calls himself President Ezequiel. As Rejas learns more about Ezequiel and his group, they begin stepping up their actions, making his investigation all the more urgent. Meanwhile, Rejas is a man whose daughter is taking dance lessons from Yolanda (Laura Morante); as Rejas and Yolanda get to know one another, a romance begins to grow between them, but in time, Rejas begins to suspect that the woman he loves is working with the terrorists he's been trying to ferret out. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 13 min.
Directed By: John Malkovich
Written By: Nicholas Shakespeare
Genres: Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Sep 20, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Sep 23, 2003
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Critic Reviews

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.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
While The Dancer Upstairs may have nothing else to remind us of [Malkovich], it does have a certain mystique itself.
Tom Long, Detroit News
It is not revolutionary, but it brims with promise and a love of film, and is a fine if worried dance indeed.
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
Moving, melancholy, and, yes, political.
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
Reflects its director, being intelligent and elegantly turned-out but distant.
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
Bardem's performance lingers in ways that give the movie resonance.
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.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Em sua estréia na direção, Malkovich conduz a história com segurança e sem exibicionismo, enquanto Bardem oferece mais uma grande atuação.
Matt Kelemen, Las Vegas CityLife
'Shakespeare retooled his novel for the screen adaptation ... It is Malkovich who reinjects the mystery, along with a little magic.'
Brian Gibson, Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)
Malkovich's take on a world of corruption, intrigue and terrorism is elegantly mysterious, but...leaps in plot and missteps in character trip up The Dancer Upstairs.
Jurgen Fauth, About.com
Engaging.
Kurt Dahlke, Apollo Guide
A bit like an adolescent - desperate to be taken seriously, yet still self-consciously goofy and immature.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...for all its felicitous touches, its details, its atmosphere, and its fine acting, the resultant whole is a near miss.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Stephen M

A hugely promising directorial debut by John Malkovich, this is a stunning political thriller. Javier Bardem is perfect as an ambitious police captain, saddled with a materialistic wife, who finds himself falling for his daughter's dancing teacher while hunting for a… More
A hugely promising directorial debut by John Malkovich, this is a stunning political thriller. Javier Bardem is perfect as an ambitious police captain, saddled with a materialistic wife, who finds himself falling for his daughter's dancing teacher while hunting for a revolutionary leader in an unnamed Latin American state. Intelligent, disturbing, suspenseful, romantic and, finally, moving, the film is perfectly paced and very well photographed. Strongly recommended.
Tsubaki S

A very solid directorial effort from Malkovich, with flaws and everything. Bardem is spot on in the main role.
Al S

An intelligent, riveting, tense and nerve wrecking thriller. skillful and remarkable. Malkovich gives and outstanding directional debut. Javier Bardem delivers an astonishing performance. It's as thrilling as it is inriuging.