A professional dancer volunteers to teach in the New York City public school system, but when his classic methods clash with his students' hip hop instincts, he teams up with them to create a new style of dance and becomes their mentor in the process.
Release Date: April 7, 2006 Studio: New Line Cinema Director: Liz Friedlander
Screenwriter: Dianne Houston Starring: Antonio Banderas, Alfre Woodard, Elijah Kelley, Dante Basco, Jenna Dewan Genre: Drama, Family Official Website: TheLeadmovie.com
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for thematic material, language and some violence. Runtime: 108 min. For rating reasons, go to FILMRATINGS.COM, and MPAA.ORG. Parents, please refer to PARENTALGUIDE.ORG
SYNOPSIS
Antonio Banderas stars in Take the Lead, a drama inspired by the true story of Pierre Dulaine, an inspirational Manhattan dance teacher and competitor who volunteers his time to teach ballroom dancing to a diverse group of New York inner-city high school students serving detention.
The students are initially skeptical of Dulaine, especially when they learn what he’s there to teach them, but his unwavering commitment and dedication slowly inspire them to embrace his program. In fact, they even take it one step further and combine Dulaine’s classical dance with their unique hip-hop style and music to create a high-energy, unique fusion. As Dulaine becomes a mentor for his students, many of whom haven’t had much to strive towards in their lives, he inspires them to hone their craft for a prestigious city ballroom competition, and in return they share with each other valuable lessons about pride, respect and honor.
Joining Antonio Banderas in the talented ensemble cast are Rob Brown (Coach Carter, Finding Forrester), Yaya DaCosta (UPN’s “Top Model”), Dante Basco (Biker Boyz), John Ortiz (Narc) Laura Benanti (Nine), Marcus T. Paulk (UPN’s “Moesha”), Jenna Dewan (Tamara), and Alfre Woodard (Beauty Shop, ABC’s “Desperate Housewives”).
A
movie that quite honestly, looked like a cheese-fest when I saw
the previews. Dancing? Ballroom dancing? Antonio Banderas? I
mean this is the guy who can box and shoot people up with a guitar
case gun, but now he is teaching ball room dancing? Disappointing,
right? ... — Continued
From
the trailers and commercials alone, you learn everything
you need to know about
Based
on a true story, Take the Lead is meant
to be part tale of inspiration and pslitherslitherart fable.
I suppose that what rubbed me the wrong way was the way that
the movie seemed to treat social issues with a near cavalier
lip service. But I digress. — Continued
It's
terribly convenient that all of the kids in detention love music
and love to dance—but in the context of this movie, it's
not a terrible stretch. Not all of these kids (nor the actors
who portray them) are great natural dancers. So there's plenty
of room to grow—and grow they must, if they're going to
enter the city ballroom competition. — Continued
From
the trailers and commercials alone, you learn everything
you need to know
Based
on a true story, Take the Lead is meant
to be part tale of inspiration and part fable. I suppose that
what rubbed me the wrong way was the way that the movie seemed
to treat social issues with a near cavalier lip service. But
I digress. — Review
by MAURICE BROADDUS
I
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Email David Bruce
I
guess I'm a sucker for schmaltz.
