This ‘inspired by a true story’ film is about a teacher from a high-prestige dance school that brought ballroom (etc.) dancing to state school kids.
Story
Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) is on his way home as he notices some commotion across the street. To his surprise, he finds a ... Read review
Release Date: 2006-09-11, Rating Suitable for 12 years and over,
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Never follow. Pierre Dulaine is a Manhattan ballroom teacher and competitor who ... more
volunteers his time to teach ballroom dancing to a group of New York inner city high school kids. Initially forced to participate as a form of detention the kids reject M...
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This exciting and inspirational story lights up the screen with its raw spirit and ... more
sizzling dance moves. Antonio Banderas stars as ballroom dance instructor Pierre Dulaine, hired by an inner city high school principal (Alfre Woodard) to supervise deten...
Faber Music Take The Lead Swing (A-Sax): for alto saxophone; with Playalong CD; Titles: ... more
Chattanooga Choo Choo (Harry Warren), I've Got A Gal In Kalamazoo (Harry Warren), In The Mood (Joe Garland), It Don't Mean A Thing (Duke Ellington), Choo Choo Ch'Boogie (Denver Darling), Jersey Bounce (Tiny Bradshaw), Pennsylvania 6-5000 (Jerry Gray), A String Of Pearls (Jerry Gray)
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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
Advantages: Fun, lively, moving Disadvantages: Yeh ok, the kids are a bit 'old'
This ‘inspired by a true story’ film is about a teacher from a high-prestige dance school that brought ballroom (etc.) dancing to state school kids.
Story
Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) is on his way home as he notices some commotion across the street. To his surprise, he finds a boy with two friends, smashing up a car with a golf club. The two friends scarper, whilst the other lad tells him it is none of his business, ... ...the vehicle is the principle of the nearby school, and probably her car was smashed by her own students. He decides to personally pay her a visit and share his idea to help the kids to refocus their energy into something positive – dancing. He claims that through dancing they will learn better ways to cope with their problems and behave generally, by learning to treat one and other with respect.
The kids are from a world where they see no ... more
This ‘inspired by a true story’ film is about a teacher from a high-prestige dance school that brought ballroom (etc.) dancing to state school kids.
Story
Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) is on his way home as he notices some commotion across the street. To his surprise, he finds a boy with two friends, smashing up a car with a golf club. The two friends scarper, whilst the other lad tells him it is none of his business, before running off. He then discovers that the owner of the vehicle is the principle of the nearby school, and probably her car was smashed by her own students. He decides to personally pay her a visit and share his idea to help the kids to refocus their energy into something positive – dancing. He claims that through dancing they will learn better ways to cope with their problems and behave generally, by learning to treat one and other with respect. The kids are from a world where they see no future, no prospects and no hope. They live in poverty and care only enough to attend school to get a job and to survive. Past this, they are surrounded by violence, drugs and even prostitution. For them, dancing has no practical purpose and is the last thing they expect to do. Pierre, smart gentlemen with a wealthy, posh appearance is initially greeted with disbelief and amusement when he proposes to teach a class (the “rejects” in detention). But then the principle decides to challenge him to see how long he survives…
Acting
The acting was fantastic, through and through, with real, genuine emotional expressions by all the characters. I was particularly moved by Yaya DaCosta’s character, LaRhette and her conflicting relationship with Rock (Rob Brown), as they both blame each others’ brothers for their downfall. The atmosphere between them is often tense and yet really quite saddening.
The dance class – I didn’t count how many kids there are in total – has quite a few people to familiarise yourself with, but each person is do different that they soon all feel like main characters in their own right. They each have a unique style, for instance Ramos (Dante Basco) is a real flirt with too much, albeit well-deserved confidence, and Eddie (Marcus T Paulk) is the cheeky lad who first meets Pierre and tries not to show that he is impressed by his ways with the ladies – referring to his friendly gestures of opening doors for women as ‘punk-ass’ moves. Some of the kids go to Pierre with personal troubles outside of class as they learn to appreciate his more principled lessons of respect.
I think Dulaine loses his temper only once in the film, but the anger makes you flinch, as you sense the guilt felt by the kids for winding him up. He otherwise comes across as rather a calm, optimistic and gentlemanly person, for which Banderas’s handsome characteristics and smile perfectly resemble. While there is a real dramatic feel to this film it is also filled with wit, good humour and plenty of fun, giving it a real uplifting tone.
Music
The soundtrack was, as you would expect with a film like this, filled with variety. There were songs that made you want to tap your toes or even dance along (no, I didn’t) and some more emotive, slow-dance type music that fitted well either with the dancing performances or the dramatic scenes. The notion that music affects your mood is certainly true of this film as it really influences how you feel about what happens.
Classification
Certainly this is the sort of film that appeals to young teens most, and maybe the odd girl around my age that still likes to dream about being a kid! The film managed to get a 12 rating here, which I think is quite fair. There is a bit of violence and quite a bit of swearing but I do think the rating is about right.
Conclusion
A memorable, moving and exciting film, this was an eye opener that truly reflects the struggles in one society and the elitism in another. It deals with the issues with sensitivity and understanding. It is filled with fun and humour, drama and even romance. By the end of the film you will feel like you really understand all the characters. You may even wish you were one of them. It was something between Sister Act 2 (without the dreadful singing) and Save The Last Dance. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and will probably want to watch it again someday. It may be a bit too cheesy or distant from most realities of youth life (even if it is inspired by a true story) so for some people it just won’t be the kind of film they’d appreciate, but if you like upbeat films then you might enjoy this. For those who would like it I would probably recommend buying, but if you can’t get a good price check if it’s likely to come on telly or rent it to see if you’ll like it enough first.
Advantages: Banderas, the mix of ballroom dancing and hip-hop, overcoming real life struggles Disadvantages: None
...on TV recently. Take the Lead has a similar style of plot to that which has been done in many other movies such as Coach Carter, where an unlikely person goes in to help a group of teenagers who seem like they have nothing in common, and both end up learning a lot in the process. The film, which is based on a true story, tackles many true life issues including the struggles of families and teenagers living in the slums and having to deal with problems ... ...of money. The contrast of these kids' lives were shown up against the wealthy and good quality lives of those who are able to afford ballroom dancing lessons and who look down their noses at those less well-off than them. Although not directly, racism is also brought into the film, as the majority of the troubled teenagers are black and Hispanic, whereas the better-off children are all white. The film puts the viewers firmly on the side of the struggling ...
frankiefromings13 17.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Take The Lead (DVD)
Advantages: Banderas, storyline, feel good factor Disadvantages: None
...very well and the kids take to him and you feel that some of these kids start to see him as a father figure, as some of their own are not around. The level of dancing is not as high as I have seen in previous dance films but is sufficient by all actors to pass as reasonable dancers. The acting is well done by all and the roles given to each actor is well suited to there style. I enjoyed the film throughout and did not find myself drifting away from ... ...not a big fan of dancing. Even though from the outset this film was very predictable with it being based upon a true story, so I knew what sort of film I was going to be watching and how it would pan it out, it still kept me interested and urging for the underdogs to come out on top. I would recommend this film to anyone who is a fan of the underdogs, dancing and a good feel factor film, or those who like to see a true story up on the big screen. ...
welling 22.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Take The Lead (DVD)
Advantages: A fun, cheesy film Disadvantages: The people playing kids are way too old
...away.
Screenwriter Dianne Houston's take on an unorthodox teacher inspiring kids from broken homes is hardly original. Considering her background in writing TV movies, that's hardly surprising. But she sticks to the time-honoured template that has teachers telling the new guy he's crazy, the kids ignoring him, deriding him and then slowly accepting him. And of course there's the growing work ethic that informs their lives and leads them to personal ... ...is swift and it doesn't take long for the kids to start to enjoy themselves, though there are the inevitable setbacks.
Antonio Banderas turns on the charm as dance teacher Pierre Dulaine. Thankfully he's well-practised and manages to stay the right side of smarm. He plays the courtly gentleman very well and effortlessly leaves hearts aflutter wherever he goes. He shows enough interest in the kids without being too chummy. He also knows what he's ...
afy9mab 13.07.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Take The Lead (DVD)
Advantages: Dancing, feel good factor Disadvantages: Could have been so much better
Take The Lead is an enjoyable dance film much in the same vein as films such as 'Step Up' and 'Save The Last Dance'. It encompasses a decent storyline with some outrageous dance moves and a feel good factor as icing on the cake.
My wife and I have wanted to watch this for a couple of years and we finally got the chance the other night. The film follows a familiar mold where a school contains a number of promising young pupils but no one has managed ... ...We see ballroom dance tutor Pierre Dulaine, who approaches the school's principal, offering his services to the pupils of the school as a dance tutor to teach them discipline and respect, among other things.
Initially, he is met with hostility from all around, no less the pupils themselves, but soon, there is an amazing transformation as Dulaine's ballroom dancing finds a place amongst the street dancers of the detention class. Thus begins a journey ...
pmcds 12.05.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Take The Lead (DVD)
Advantages: Sexy dance movies, Inspirational Disadvantages: Has potential to be better
...Girl: [after being told to take Kurd's hand] Hold up. How the hell do I know where his hand's have been? Kurd: Here I'll show you! Kurd: [put's his hands down the front of his pants] Now you know! Pierre Dulaine: That's not right! That is NOT right! Eddie: Now that's "ball" room. ...
patel88 28.12.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Take The Lead (DVD)
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Deleted Scenes, Behind the Scenes, Director's Commentary
DVD Description
Mixing elements of sports film, feel-good drama and teen movie, with a dash of social realism, TAKE THE LEAD is an inspiring tale of transformation through art and sports. Based on a true story, the film centres on the dashing Pierre Dulaine, an idealistic New York City ballroom dancer, who was the subject of the runaway documentary hit, MAD HOT BALLROOM (2005). After spying the desperate and violent actions of a young and angry high school student named Rock, Dulaine becomes intent on channelling his talent into the service of troubled youth. He approaches Rock's tough but well-meaning high school principal (the always radiant Alfre Woodward), with the idea of teaching ballroom dancing to detention students. Were it not for the fact that this is a story pulled from real life, the premise might ring false; the fact that it actually happened only makes the movie more powerful. Dulaine is greeted with the expected disdain and cynicism by his street-hardened students, yet by the end of the film, gang member, Ramos, tough-as-nails Larhette, charming but overweight Monster and the lone white boy Kurd, are all transformed into dedicated, graceful, and talented dancers. The troubled teens perform the tango and rumba as confidently as they once initiated fistfights. Along with learning the technical steps of the ballroom, these youngsters are also exposed to their toe-tapping teacher's wisdom about life, learning everything from how to treat a lady, to how to disengage from pointless violence. Former music-video director, Liz Friedlander brings a kinetic energy to the film, and the pulsating hip-hop soundtrack is designed to attract youthful viewers.
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