2008 Woodie Awards
Movie Review: "Take the Lead"
Banderas teaches students dance, life lessons
By: Trish Wallace
Issue date: 4/13/06 Section: Lifestyle
- Page 1 of 1
Riding his bicycle to his ballroom dancing studio, Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) couldn't live a more different life from the world he soon enters. After witnessing the rage of a local teenager, Dulaine begins the improbable task of teaching ballroom dancing to an unwilling high school detention class in the film "Take the Lead."
The opening sequence immediately delivers an understanding of the different lifestyles between Dulaine and the students. Shots snap back and forth between Dulaine and other ballroom dancers dressing in their elegant gowns and tuxes and performing at a gala and inner city teenagers preparing for and dancing at a school dance. Then their worlds are thrown together.
Despite their strong reservations, the students expectantly give Dulaine and each other a chance. They learn to trust Dulaine. They learn to leave their differences off the floor. Taking care of the costs and attire, Dulaine talks the kids into entering a contest to show off what they've learned. The competition is filled with experienced dancers, but the delinquent dancers offer a passion and uniqueness that keeps them in the same league as those more talented than they.
Based on a true story, "Take the Lead" has a semi-predictable plot - an unlikely adult tries to change the lives of misguided youths by making them believe in themselves and in a common dream. Although predictable, the movie maintains a sense of realism. Dulaine succeeds in teaching the kids to believe in themselves, but not without obstacles and not by miraculously changing their worlds. Together they may connect in their lessons after school, but at the end of the day, each student returns home to a whole world of problems. Dulaine's lessons might help them deal with those issues at home but don't take the issues away.
Dulaine emphasizes several times that ballroom dancing will refine the students. It will teach the boys manners and how to respect the girls' bodies with a gentle touch. It will teach the girls grace and how to trust the boys to take the lead yet treat them with dignity. Although the kids do become more controlled, the film does not solidly depict such respect in dancing. Two of the boys are in constant battle over the same girl and another boy refuses to admit his feelings for his dance partner because she is overweight.
Banderas delivers a believable performance. Dulaine is a simple yet passionate man, and Banderas leaves the audience understanding how dedicated the real Pierre Dulaine must have been. The viewers will enjoy the soundtrack, chemistry between Banderas' Dulaine and the students and dance performances, especially the sultry tango and elegant waltz at the competition.
Now showing in theaters, "Take the Lead" is a fun movie more for groups of friends rather than dates, but dancers should love it.
The opening sequence immediately delivers an understanding of the different lifestyles between Dulaine and the students. Shots snap back and forth between Dulaine and other ballroom dancers dressing in their elegant gowns and tuxes and performing at a gala and inner city teenagers preparing for and dancing at a school dance. Then their worlds are thrown together.
Despite their strong reservations, the students expectantly give Dulaine and each other a chance. They learn to trust Dulaine. They learn to leave their differences off the floor. Taking care of the costs and attire, Dulaine talks the kids into entering a contest to show off what they've learned. The competition is filled with experienced dancers, but the delinquent dancers offer a passion and uniqueness that keeps them in the same league as those more talented than they.
Based on a true story, "Take the Lead" has a semi-predictable plot - an unlikely adult tries to change the lives of misguided youths by making them believe in themselves and in a common dream. Although predictable, the movie maintains a sense of realism. Dulaine succeeds in teaching the kids to believe in themselves, but not without obstacles and not by miraculously changing their worlds. Together they may connect in their lessons after school, but at the end of the day, each student returns home to a whole world of problems. Dulaine's lessons might help them deal with those issues at home but don't take the issues away.
Dulaine emphasizes several times that ballroom dancing will refine the students. It will teach the boys manners and how to respect the girls' bodies with a gentle touch. It will teach the girls grace and how to trust the boys to take the lead yet treat them with dignity. Although the kids do become more controlled, the film does not solidly depict such respect in dancing. Two of the boys are in constant battle over the same girl and another boy refuses to admit his feelings for his dance partner because she is overweight.
Banderas delivers a believable performance. Dulaine is a simple yet passionate man, and Banderas leaves the audience understanding how dedicated the real Pierre Dulaine must have been. The viewers will enjoy the soundtrack, chemistry between Banderas' Dulaine and the students and dance performances, especially the sultry tango and elegant waltz at the competition.
Now showing in theaters, "Take the Lead" is a fun movie more for groups of friends rather than dates, but dancers should love it.