THE DANCER UPSTAIRS
US, 2002, 135 minutes, Colour.
Javier Bardem, Laura Morante, Juan Diego Botto.
Directed by John Malkovich.
The Dancer Upstairs is based on a novel by Nicholas Shakespeare who adapted his book for the screen. It is the directing debut of actor John Malkovich, showing a very serious approach in his choice of themes for film-making.
The film is set in an unnamed South American country in the 1980s and 1990s. However, it has the background of Peru during that period with the Shining Path rebellion.
Javier Bardem plays the head of the police, a man caught between corrupt bureaucracy and the corruption in the revolution . He is in pursuit of the leader, Ezequial. His search has repercussions on his own personal life, on his professional career, on his awareness of what was happening in his country. It leads him to a dancer who is a very attractive person – but, he realises at the end, is key to his pursuit of the revolutionaries. The dancer is played by Italian actress Laura Morante.
This is a contribution to cinema awareness of Latin America, its history of revolutions, its history of corruption and oppression.
1. The topical themes? Terrorism? Disturbances in Latin America? A perspective on the '90s?
2. The work of John Malkovich as actor, director, his international cast?
3. The use of Spanish, Portuguese and Ecuador locations? The Latin American city, the variety of country landscapes? The musical score, classical music, local music?
4. The title, the reference to Yolanda and Ezequial? The mystery, the solution?
5. The historical background of Peru in the '80s and '90s, the Shining Path terrorists, the revolution, Lima, the people, the experience of terror, terrorist raids, the unknown revolution and making itself known, the threat to government, government administration, corrupt law, justice?
6. The introduction to the film, the introduction of Ezequial, the group driving, being stopped at the guardhouse, the bribe to the policeman, the introduction to Augustin? The irony of his taking the photo of Ezequial?
7. Five years passing, Augustin in the city his promotion? His background story, part Indian, the plantation its being confiscated, his relationship to his father, his father's death? Studying law, his success, his decision to join the police, his term in the country, his principles, his explanation of justice and right?
8. The gathering of the team to work in the capital, his young assistant and his brash enthusiasm, the woman on the team and her skills, as investigators? The dead dogs hanging outside the buildings, the explosions, the terror in the countryside, the name of Ezequial and people invoking him as they died? President Ezequial, the revolution?
9. The introduction go Calderon, his sense of duty, responsibility, government? The police guard for him going into the hotel? His talking to Augustin about Ezequial? His assignation with the woman? His power, ability to call in the army, his taking over from Augustin and his team? Augustin's dilemma as to whether hand on the information to him or not? Ultimately sending in the army, the takeover, Augustin's office and documents, taking the children's drawings on the wall? Augustin keeping the information from him, especially about the arrest? The television coverage of the arrest, his phone going, his stances? The deal with Augustin, especially about Yolanda? His cynical attitude and his judgment about Augustin's unwillingness to stand for presidency?
10. The president and the accusation of rape? The government officials in the theatre, the performance and the assassinations? The schoolgirls and the explosions? The young boy and his having the bomb? The young model, her glamorous and sexy appearance, her being followed, the guns and the revolutionary videos?
11. The police chief, his attitudes, discussions with Augustin, his attitude and prejudice towards Indians while doing his training, his comment about Augustin having no emotion? His backing of the team? The surveillance? The passing of nine months, the lack of information? The interviews with Augustin, especially on the rocks near the water? Augustin going to the country, his contacts and the getting of information, their warnings? The interrogation of the professor who knew Ezequial, getting the information? The cigars? His interest in the cigarette brand, the medication for the rash? Ultimately getting his team to sift the garbage, their discoveries? The fireworks and the messages given through the colour codes? The magazines and the information, the diary?
12. Augustin and his family life, his relationship with his wife, her glamour and her friends, her literary evenings? Her concern about plastic surgery on her nose? Her friendship with Marina, Marina and her shrewdness, yet worrying about what clothes to wear for the revolution? Their daughter, her age, love for her father, domestic sequences, the skill of her dancing, her talent, her future?
13. Yolanda, attractive, as a teacher, dance and composition, her relationship to her students? Her talk with Augustin? The discussions about his daughter's future? His attraction towards her, her refusal? His phoning her during the night? The mystery of her work, his not revealing his work to her? Her living in the suspicious street, her garbage? His disbelief that she could be involved?
14. The preparation for the arrest, the siege of the building, the troops coming in, Augustin giving the command, waiting for the pupils to leave, the suspense of the delays as Yolanda chatted with the mothers, Ezequial at the window, the attack, his arrest, Yolanda and her reaction? Her defiance?
15. The media, the television interviews, the call for Augustin to stand for office, his wanting to do the deal with Calderon for Yolanda? Ezequial imprisoned and proclaiming that his philosophy and ideas would live? The ideas and the revolution being destroyed? Yolanda's letter via Calderon? Her refusal of any help from Augustin?
16. The ending and his hurrying to see his daughter perform, his relationship with his wife, standing at the back, his daughter's triumph, a classical ending with hope and beauty? Topical issues and the prospects for the future in Latin America?
