The Dancer Upstairs

Though arguably better known for lending his name to Being John... than anything relating to his actual body of screen work to date, Malkovich has usually been an enjoyable if occasionally over-mannered screen presence, and his directorial debut displays considerable promise.

Starring the eternally excellent Javier Bardem as a Latin American revolutionary, The Dancer Upstairs makes for highly engaging viewing, and though its pace is slow and stately enough to torpedo all notions of Malkovich suddenly metamorphosising into the next George Lucas, it’s a thoughtful and rewarding work.

Adapted from Nicolas Shakespeare’s novel of the same name, The Dancer Upstairs would appear to mirror the novel’s search for Peruvian Shining Path leader Abimael Guzman, prior to his capture – but though the film is visibly based in reality, Malkovich has refused to overtly identify even the nation in which the film is set.

Still, no-one sane would suggest that any viewing of The Dancer Upstairs indicates Malkovich’s heart is in anything other than the right place.