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The Dancer Upstairs (2002)

R  132 min  -  Drama | Thriller | Crime   -  20 September 2002 (Spain)
6.9
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Ratings: 6.9/10 from 4,277 users   Metascore: 64/100 
Reviews: 68 user | 85 critic | 40 from Metacritic.com

A police detective in a South American country is dedicated to hunting down a revolutionary guerilla leader.

Director:

John Malkovich

Writers:

Nicholas Shakespeare (novel), Nicholas Shakespeare (screenplay)
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The Dancer Upstairs -- A police detective in a South American country is dedicated to hunting down a revolutionary guerilla leader. The Dancer Upstairs -- A police detective in a South American country is dedicated to hunting down a revolutionary guerilla leader.
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Javier Bardem ...
Agustín Rejas
Juan Diego Botto ...
Sucre
Laura Morante ...
Yolanda
Elvira Mínguez ...
Llosa
Alexandra Lencastre Alexandra Lencastre ...
Sylvina Rejas
Oliver Cotton Oliver Cotton ...
Merino
Luís Miguel Cintra Luís Miguel Cintra ...
Calderón
Javier Manrique Javier Manrique ...
Clorindo
Abel Folk Abel Folk ...
Ezequiel / Durán
Marie-Anne Berganza Marie-Anne Berganza ...
Laura
Lucas Rodríguez Lucas Rodríguez ...
Gómez
Xabier Elorriaga Xabier Elorriaga ...
Pascual
Natalia Dicenta ...
Marina
Wolframio Sinué ...
Santiago
Ramiro Jiménez Ramiro Jiménez ...
Sergeant Pisac
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Storyline

The story of Detective Agustin Rejas, a man clinging to the hope of an impossible love in an impossible world. Tracking Ezequiel, a delusional anarchist who incites the downtrodden masses to join in his brutal revolution against the fascist government in their unnamed Latin American country, Rejas finds solace in his sense of self-respect and the joy that his daughter and wife bring him. Then he meets Yolanda--his daughter's soulfully beautiful ballet teacher--a woman who sparks his long-forgotten passions and represents all that is good and all that is corrupt in their troubled country. But she, who appears to be a shelter from the storm, may in actuality be the storm's eye. Ultimately, as the revolution intensifies and the net closes around hunter and hunted alike, the dancer's truth will prove as elusive as the revolutionary's cause and the detective's peace. Written by Sujit R. Varma  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Revolution | Revolutionary | Police | Anarchist  | See more »

Taglines:

An honest man caught in a world of intrigue, power and passion.

Genres:

Drama | Thriller | Crime

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, and for language See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Spain | USA

Language:

English | Quechua | Spanish (only a few words)

Release Date:

(Spain) See more »

Also Known As:

Pasos de baile See more »

Filming Locations:

Ecuador See more »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

€100,224 (Spain) (22 September 2002) (71 Screens)

Gross:

$5,227,348 (Worldwide) (2004)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The story is inspired by the Maoist insurgency in Peru known as the Shining Path. Its leader Abimael Guzmán, who was known by the nom de guerre President Gonzalo, was captured in an apartment above a ballet studio in the capital Lima in 1992. The ballet teacher Yolanda was based on Maritza Garrido Lecca, the woman in whose apartment Guzmán was found. Bardem's character was inspired by Benedicto Jimenez and General Antonio Ketin Vidal, the leading figures responsible for Guzmán's capture. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: In the garbage scene, soon after the Marxism book is mentioned, the female cop changes positions in between shots. See more »

Quotes

[Rejas and Sucre are looking at a dead dog hanging from a lamp-post, with dynamite stuck down its throat]
Sucre: What sort of a person would do that?
Agustín Rejas: I don't know, but I wouldn't entirely rule out a cat-lover.
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Crazy Credits

The producers would like to thank ... the residents of Narcisos Street ... See more »

Connections

Featured in Revealing 'The Dancer Upstairs' (2003) See more »

Soundtracks

"All Along the Watchtower"
(1967)
Written by Bob Dylan
© Dwarf Music
Piano arrangement and vocals by Yul Anderson
Soundtrack from the DVD titles: Dreamsky and the CD "The Wind"
Courtesy of NBE Productions Softmusic (USA/Denmark) See more »