Why
is it that most actors who step behind the camera end up
producing powerful and beautiful motion pictures? Clint
Eastwood with "Unforgiven", Kevin Costner with
"Dances with Wolves", Mel Gibson with "Braveheart",
and George Clooney with "Confessions of A Dangerous
Mind" are just some of the examples. Now, enter
John Malkovich. Known primarily for his flawless
character driven performances and his impeccable acting
choices, Malkovich will now also be known as a marvelous
filmmaker.
"The Dancer Upstairs" is one of those films that
start off slow and then really start to sizzle. Javier
Bardem stars as Rejas, a detective in Peru who is assigned to
track down a terrorist and possible leader of a revolution,
Ezequiel. From his initial encounter with the terrorist
until the terrorist's apprehension, twelve years pass, meaning
that we get a lot of fillings, including a romance with a
ballet instructor, Yolanda (Laura Morante). About
halfway through the film, we are wise to how the film will
probably end, but that does not hinder the remainder of the
picture. There are just so many subtle aspects that
Malkovich weaves into the film, it is as if he was working on
the film like an artist works on a painting.
The cinematography by Jose Luis Alcaine is breathtaking,
especially a scene in which Bardem and Morante are on top of a
building, with a lavish display of fireworks going off behind
them. The city is also in the background, and it makes
for one of those rare magical movie experiences.
I loved the way in which Malkovich was able to tell this story
of an impending revolution, and blend it so expertly with a
fantastic love story, complete with the usual infidelity.
Bardem and Morante sizzle with chemistry, and Juan Diego Botto
provides some much needed comic relief throughout.
I doubt this film will receive as much recognition as it
deserves, though it is the first mainstream film Javier Bardem
has made since his Academy Award nominated role in
"Before Night Falls". The Academy will
probably overlook this one, as will most of the general
public, which is a shame because it is really an unusual
and enchanting film. I do, however, note that there is a
considerable amount of violence.
"The Dancer Upstairs" has everything: love,
lust, murder, and betrayal. It starts off kind of slow,
but I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
