Take the Lead (2006)
—1. Overview
—2. Cast and Crew
—3. Photo Pages
—4. Trailers, Clips, DVDs, Books, Soundtrack
—5. Posters (Dance)
—6. Production Notes (pdf)
—7. Spiritual Connections
—8. Presentation Downloads
“It takes courage to lead, but it takes as much courage to follow�. And in my opinion, sometimes it takes more. These words are spoken by Pierre Dulaine (played by Antonio Banderas) to two of his students Rock (played by Rob Brown) and LaRhette (played by Yaya DaCosta). A great story-line and a great message.
Take the Lead is based upon the true story of Pierre Dulaine who believed that dance could help students at an inner New York City high school to learn to respect each other, build their confidence, and dream of what could be tomorrow instead of wallowing on what is today. A future.
The story has a sort of To Sir with Love feel to it, though the old 1960’s film had originality to it that no other movie can quite copy. Yet Take the Lead has its story to tell and does it well. The funny thing is that if it weren’t a true story, the movie wouldn’t be believable. A bunch of “school rejects�, who have permanent residence in Detention, not only learning ballroom dancing, but enjoying it.
The music was great. Not only some real classic ballroom dance music and more up to date popular songs, but even a blend of the two to show how they are not so different if you only try to work them together. A lot like different people.
I really enjoyed Banderas’ performance and that of many of his students. It was interesting to see Lauen Collins, Paige of DeGrassi fame (who plays Caitlin in the film) as the uptown rich girl voluntarily hanging out with the “school rejects� because of her love of dance. Something that she had in common with the “rejects�.
The dance numbers, both hip-hop/rap and ballroom, were entertaining and kept you enthralled as the story unfolded. To see the change in Dulaine’s students was really inspiring, especially since you knew it was based on a true story. Even if it wasn’t successful, I can’t imagine how someone could just come off the street and volunteer to try and teach inner city kids ballroom dance. I was impressed with how he related dance to life – even in the inner city. But what makes it even more impressive is that it was a success. Today, from Dulaine’s initial program, there are now 42 dance instructors in over 120 New York City schools – I would call that a success. Teaching kids about dignity, trust, respect and many basic characteristics that many of these kids might not get even in their own home. Oh, yeah, and how to dance.
I highly recommend this movie for a feel good time. Either with friends or on a date, you will come out inspired and doing a little toe tapping along the way. And oh yeah, the opening line I used was part of a longer speech where Dulaine started by telling Rock that Rock had to have the courage and confidence to lead, to take the first step and guide LaRhette. At which LaRhette countered that she was supposed to just let Rock be the boss. This is where Dulaine opened her eyes (and I must admit mine), that Rock can take the first action, to lead, but it was up to LaRhette to make the choice to follow or not. To have the courage, and most importantly, the trust to follow Rock’s lead. Believe me following is hard to do. And from my many years of experience, you can’t lead until you learn how to follow.
— Overview
—2. Cast and Crew
—3. Photo Pages
—4. Trailers, Clips, DVDs, Books, Soundtrack
—5. Posters (Dance)
—6. Production Notes (pdf)
—7. Spiritual Connections
—8. Presentation Downloads
“It takes courage to lead, but it takes as much courage to follow�. And in my opinion, sometimes it takes more. These words are spoken by Pierre Dulaine (played by Antonio Banderas) to two of his students Rock (played by Rob Brown) and LaRhette (played by Yaya DaCosta). A great story-line and a great message.Take the Lead is based upon the true story of Pierre Dulaine who believed that dance could help students at an inner New York City high school to learn to respect each other, build their confidence, and dream of what could be tomorrow instead of wallowing on what is today. A future.
The story has a sort of To Sir with Love feel to it, though the old 1960’s film had originality to it that no other movie can quite copy. Yet Take the Lead has its story to tell and does it well. The funny thing is that if it weren’t a true story, the movie wouldn’t be believable. A bunch of “school rejects�, who have permanent residence in Detention, not only learning ballroom dancing, but enjoying it.
The music was great. Not only some real classic ballroom dance music and more up to date popular songs, but even a blend of the two to show how they are not so different if you only try to work them together. A lot like different people.
I really enjoyed Banderas’ performance and that of many of his students. It was interesting to see Lauen Collins, Paige of DeGrassi fame (who plays Caitlin in the film) as the uptown rich girl voluntarily hanging out with the “school rejects� because of her love of dance. Something that she had in common with the “rejects�.
The dance numbers, both hip-hop/rap and ballroom, were entertaining and kept you enthralled as the story unfolded. To see the change in Dulaine’s students was really inspiring, especially since you knew it was based on a true story. Even if it wasn’t successful, I can’t imagine how someone could just come off the street and volunteer to try and teach inner city kids ballroom dance. I was impressed with how he related dance to life – even in the inner city. But what makes it even more impressive is that it was a success. Today, from Dulaine’s initial program, there are now 42 dance instructors in over 120 New York City schools – I would call that a success. Teaching kids about dignity, trust, respect and many basic characteristics that many of these kids might not get even in their own home. Oh, yeah, and how to dance.
I highly recommend this movie for a feel good time. Either with friends or on a date, you will come out inspired and doing a little toe tapping along the way. And oh yeah, the opening line I used was part of a longer speech where Dulaine started by telling Rock that Rock had to have the courage and confidence to lead, to take the first step and guide LaRhette. At which LaRhette countered that she was supposed to just let Rock be the boss. This is where Dulaine opened her eyes (and I must admit mine), that Rock can take the first action, to lead, but it was up to LaRhette to make the choice to follow or not. To have the courage, and most importantly, the trust to follow Rock’s lead. Believe me following is hard to do. And from my many years of experience, you can’t lead until you learn how to follow.
— Overview
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