Favorite Dance Films

Mao’s Last Dancer, directed by Bruce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy, Bride of the Wind, Breaker Morant, Double Jeopardy), this is the true story of Li Cunxin, who was plucked from his village school room  and brought to Bejing to train as a classical ballet dancer, in accordance with Chairman Mao’s great vision. The story unfolds as the boy is taken from his family and subjected to rigorous training by mostly cold-hearted instructors. His hard work and persistence pay off and  he develops into a dancer with enough promise that he is noticed by Houston Ballet choreographer Ben Stevenson and invited to come to America as a guest dancer.

Thus begins a new chapter of Li Cunxin’s life. After spending some time in America, he chooses not to return to China.

The dancing by Chi Cao in this movie is truly beautiful –  Cao  joined Birmingham Royal Ballet in 1995 and was promoted to Principal in 2002.He trained at the Beijing Dance Academy and the Royal Ballet School. The movie is based on the book. Either are worth the time.

Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School is an unexplored gem. We happened upon this movie by accident, but it’s got an all-star cast (Robert Carlyle, Marisa Tomei, Donnie Wahlberg and John Goodman) and is worth watching more than once. Frank Keane (Robert Carlyle), recently widowed, is driving his bakery truck along a deserted stretch of highway when he comes upon the scene of a horrible accident. He calls 911 and is told to keep the injured motorist talking until they arrive. The name of the injured driver is Steve Mills (John Goodman) who was rushing to an important appointment made thirty-five years ago with his grammar school sweetheart. Steve finally realizes he’ll never be able to keep his promise he asks Frank to keep the appointment for him.

Frank honors Steve’s request and the course of his life is altered forever.

For anyone who loves dance… or has suffered through childhood social dance classes, the movie will have you laughing, crying, or both.