With a clever Graham-Greene-esque script, choice acting by the whole ensemble (especially Bardem), fine music by Alberto Iglesias, and the strong directorial control of Malkovich, the film zips along.

| Jul 19, 2018

The Dancer Upstairs is intelligently scripted, beautifully photographed, nicely paced and well-acted.

| Dec 6, 2014

Though flawed and listless as a political drama or thriller, Malkovich's feature debut deserves credit for itis ambition and for tackling an overtly political theme (guerrilla wars in Peru), a rare sight in today's indie milieu.

| Original Score: B- | Jun 9, 2006

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Dec 6, 2005

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 6, 2005

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Sep 30, 2005

| Original Score: 8/10 | Oct 7, 2004

Em sua estréia na direção, Malkovich conduz a história com segurança e sem exibicionismo, enquanto Bardem oferece mais uma grande atuação.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 25, 2004

'Shakespeare retooled his novel for the screen adaptation ... It is Malkovich who reinjects the mystery, along with a little magic.'

| Mar 3, 2004

Malkovich's take on a world of corruption, intrigue and terrorism is elegantly mysterious, but...leaps in plot and missteps in character trip up The Dancer Upstairs.

Full Review | Dec 1, 2003

Engaging.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 8, 2003

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Oct 5, 2003

A bit like an adolescent - desperate to be taken seriously, yet still self-consciously goofy and immature.

| Original Score: 70/100 | Sep 24, 2003

Malkovich and Shakespeare seem content to linger over minor things, possibly to let the audience absorb them better but to the detriment of the movie's tempo.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Sep 7, 2003

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 16, 2003

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jul 7, 2003

Filled with tension and a genuine air of uncertainty, Malkovich has delivered a truly riveting film.

| Jun 25, 2003

This is John Malkovich's directing debut, and it has elements we associate with his personality: puckishness, dark humor, questioning of authority, villains on all levels who can be charismatic.

| Jun 20, 2003

All the dots are there but Malkovich and Shakespeare (who adapted his book for the screen) are very stingy about providing the connecting lines.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Jun 13, 2003

One of the most chilling political thrillers in years.

| Original Score: A | Jun 11, 2003