Take the Lead has two left feet
By PAULA OGONOSKI
Today staff
While the dancers in Take the Lead might step their way into the audience's heart, the movie itself is uninspiring and long-winded.
Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) is a professional ballroom dance teacher who spends most of his time with trust fund snobs. He decides to bring a group of misfit students from the New York City public school to the world of the foxtrot, salsa, waltz and tango. Dulaine has to get the students ready for an annual dance competition, usually reserved for the most prestigious dancers, to prove to the world and the students themselves that they have something to offer. Through the class, the students, who live in a world of gang violence and low expectations, gain confidence and respect. For some, the experience becomes life-altering.
Because this flick is based on the true story of professional dancer Pierre Dulaine, it's compelling, but with tighter editing and better character development it could have also been touching. Alas, it's afflicted with the dreaded disease of dreariness.
If it weren't for the strong dance numbers, which really explode in the last 15 minutes of the movie, it would have been forgettable altogether.
When inspiring true tales such as the recent Glory Road and last year's Coach Carter work, it's because they have something to offer other than the paint-by-numbers tale of a group of outcasts being changed by a strong and determined leader. Unfortunately, this isn't that movie. I certainly don't feel changed by the wannabe inspirational tale, except for wanting to put on my dancing shoes a little more. All in all, it's a mildly entertaining family flick that will make an excellent rental.
Canadian connection: Lauren Collins (Caitlin) plays Paige in Degrassi: The Next Generation.
In the end, there's always Dancing with the Stars.
Take the Lead
-Starring: Antonio Banderas
-Directed by: Liz Friedlander
- Rating: PG
**1/2 (out of four)
© Copyright 2006, Fort McMurray Today.
Today staff
While the dancers in Take the Lead might step their way into the audience's heart, the movie itself is uninspiring and long-winded.
Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) is a professional ballroom dance teacher who spends most of his time with trust fund snobs. He decides to bring a group of misfit students from the New York City public school to the world of the foxtrot, salsa, waltz and tango. Dulaine has to get the students ready for an annual dance competition, usually reserved for the most prestigious dancers, to prove to the world and the students themselves that they have something to offer. Through the class, the students, who live in a world of gang violence and low expectations, gain confidence and respect. For some, the experience becomes life-altering.
Because this flick is based on the true story of professional dancer Pierre Dulaine, it's compelling, but with tighter editing and better character development it could have also been touching. Alas, it's afflicted with the dreaded disease of dreariness.
If it weren't for the strong dance numbers, which really explode in the last 15 minutes of the movie, it would have been forgettable altogether.
When inspiring true tales such as the recent Glory Road and last year's Coach Carter work, it's because they have something to offer other than the paint-by-numbers tale of a group of outcasts being changed by a strong and determined leader. Unfortunately, this isn't that movie. I certainly don't feel changed by the wannabe inspirational tale, except for wanting to put on my dancing shoes a little more. All in all, it's a mildly entertaining family flick that will make an excellent rental.
Canadian connection: Lauren Collins (Caitlin) plays Paige in Degrassi: The Next Generation.
In the end, there's always Dancing with the Stars.
Take the Lead
-Starring: Antonio Banderas
-Directed by: Liz Friedlander
- Rating: PG
**1/2 (out of four)
© Copyright 2006, Fort McMurray Today.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home