"Mao's Last Dancer"

Dance sequences make the film worth seeing (even though perhaps they could have been filmed more effectively, instead of just as if you're sitting in the audience at the performance). Chi Cao plays the adult Li Conxin, who as an 11 year old boy in Communist China is taken from his family and sent to be trained as a dancer under Madame Mao's program of artistic endeavors. His schooling is harsh and regimented. The ballet training is rigorous. The indoctrination of the kids as shown is certainly a strong political statement against Communism under Mao. It's certainly understandable that when Li (pronounced lee) eventually matures and experiences the freedom of America when he goes to Houston on a cultural exchange program, he realizes he doesn't want to go back to the rigid, repressive life in China. I remember reading the book, on which this true story is based, and really liking it. Enjoying the marvelous dancing in this film, I remembered how much I love to watch ballet! (The scene in the film in which he dances the part of a haughty Spanish caballero (--is that the right spelling? ) is fabulous. The Chinese actors are great, and you will certainly recognize the excellent Bruce Greenwood who plays the Director of the Houston Ballet Company. (A very different role for him from his stint as the boss in "Dinner for Schmucks.") Li's determination to remain in America created an international incident! All things considered, I'm giving it THREE STARS. Signed: Wistful Ballet Devotee