Who will enjoy this film? - BALLET FANATICS! Although they will gain most from this film, I think alot of people will enjoy it as it gives a good insight into a young dancer's life. It's a good 'teen film' and worth watching.
THE PLOT The plot, to be blunt, is not very good. But it's one of those films which is still watchable because it has other qualities.
The film begins with an audition for the prestigious American Ballet school which is part of the American Ballet Company. The main emphasis seemed to be on the experience of a girl (Jodie Sawyer) as she auditions succesfully for one of the 12 places availiable. She meets Maureen, a brilliant dancer whose mother is extremly persistant that she does well. There is also Eva who is more rebellious and turns up to class late and untidy.
The film shows alot of what happens is ballet classes - strict, unforgiving teachers who bark out corrections and push the dancers harder and harder. After a while, Jonathon, the director gets dissapointed with Jodie and says her turnout and technique is not good enough, though he doesn't make her leave the school.
Jodie joins a new classe at a different dance centre (a centre more for fun than anything and something that the dancers are not really allowed to do) and meets Cooper - the principal male dancer at The American Ballet Company. He thinks she's great, basically, despite her lack of technique in ballet. This sparks off a little fling where Jodie falls head over heels for him. Ahhh lovely.
Anyway, auditions for the 'workshop' comes round and this is the big chnace for the dancers to get accepted into the company itself. But wait! There are only THREE girls places and three boys! Jodie and two other boys are chosen to dance in the ballet choreographed by Cooper in a pas des trois (trio!).
Cooper's ballet is very modern and the dancers rehearse to drums. Rehearsals don't go well, however, because Cooper doesn't seem to want to know Jodie anymore! Oh no!
So anyway, the films carries on and in the end, the workshop goes very well. So does Jodie get offered a place? Well, I suppose you'll have to watch and find out if you like the sound of this film!
OK, that's the main plot but there are also little subplots which deal with issues like bulima and homosexuality involving the other dancers.
THE ACTORS/DANCERS Amanda Schull is Jodie and she plays the part very well. You cannot fault the quality of the dancing seen in the film. The acting is good - though not outstanding. I can imagine some of the actors appearing in other films (if they haven't already) as their strengths do not just lie in ballet. If you love watching ballet, you will adore this film as it has alot of extended dances in it. If you've never seen ballet or this doesn't sound particularly appealing, you might still find you like it. Who knows?!
THE SOUNDTRACK There's lots of good music in it ranging from Michael Jackson, Mandy Moore, PYT, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Jamiroquai. If you enjoy the music in the film, you might enjoy the album soundtrack as I have heard that it's quite good!
THE DIRECTOR The direction wasn't spectacular or anything but this was directed by Nicholas Hytner who as well as directing films like The Cruicle and The Object of My Affection has done alot of plays in London too like A Winter's Tale and 12th Night. I saw a Winter's Tale and was thoroughly impressed. Bit off the subject there, but he might be a good director to look out for in the future as I think he's pretty good!
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
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![Center Stage [DVD] [2000]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78493650.jpg "Center Stage [DVD] [2000]")
Nov 25th, 2001
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