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Take the Lead

  • 20062006
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
26K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Dante Basco and Jenna Dewan in Take the Lead (2006)
Theatrical Trailer from New Line Cinema
Play trailer2:28
3 Videos
45 Photos
  • Drama
  • Music

The real story of a dance teacher who believed in the talent of a group of problem kids.The real story of a dance teacher who believed in the talent of a group of problem kids.The real story of a dance teacher who believed in the talent of a group of problem kids.

IMDb RATING
6.6/10
26K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Liz Friedlander
  • Writer
    • Dianne Houston
  • Stars
    • Antonio Banderas
    • Rob Brown
    • Yaya DaCosta
Top credits
  • Director
    • Liz Friedlander
  • Writer
    • Dianne Houston
  • Stars
    • Antonio Banderas
    • Rob Brown
    • Yaya DaCosta
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 132User reviews
    • 96Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 6 nominations

    Videos3

    Take the Lead
    Trailer 2:28
    Take the Lead
    Take the Lead
    Clip 0:37
    Take the Lead
    Take the Lead
    Clip 1:02
    Take the Lead

    Photos45

    Dante Basco, Elijah Kelley, and Jenna Dewan in Take the Lead (2006)
    Antonio Banderas and Katya Virshilas in Take the Lead (2006)
    Antonio Banderas in Take the Lead (2006)
    Antonio Banderas and Marcus T. Paulk in Take the Lead (2006)
    Antonio Banderas, Rob Brown, and Yaya DaCosta in Take the Lead (2006)
    Antonio Banderas and Yaya DaCosta in Take the Lead (2006)
    Antonio Banderas, Rob Brown, and Yaya DaCosta in Take the Lead (2006)
    Take the Lead (2006)
    Take the Lead (2006)
    Antonio Banderas, Laura Benanti, Jenna Dewan, and Brandon D. Andrews in Take the Lead (2006)
    Antonio Banderas in Take the Lead (2006)
    Rob Brown and Yaya DaCosta in Take the Lead (2006)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Antonio Banderas
    Antonio Banderas
    • Pierre Dulaineas Pierre Dulaine
    Rob Brown
    Rob Brown
    • Rockas Rock
    Yaya DaCosta
    Yaya DaCosta
    • LaRhetteas LaRhette
    Alfre Woodard
    Alfre Woodard
    • Augustine Jamesas Augustine James
    John Ortiz
    John Ortiz
    • Mr. Templeas Mr. Temple
    Laura Benanti
    Laura Benanti
    • Tinaas Tina
    Jonathan Malen
    Jonathan Malen
    • Kurdas Kurd
    Jasika Nicole
    Jasika Nicole
    • Egyptas Egypt
    Shawand McKenzie
    • Big Girlas Big Girl
    Dante Basco
    Dante Basco
    • Ramosas Ramos
    Elijah Kelley
    Elijah Kelley
    • Danjouas Danjou
    Jenna Dewan
    Jenna Dewan
    • Sashaas Sasha
    Marcus T. Paulk
    Marcus T. Paulk
    • Eddieas Eddie
    Brandon D. Andrews
    • Monsteras Monster
    Lauren Collins
    Lauren Collins
    • Caitlinas Caitlin
    Katya Virshilas
    • Morganas Morgan
    Alison Sealy-Smith
    • Rock's Momas Rock's Mom
    Phillip Jarrett
    Phillip Jarrett
    • Rock's Dadas Rock's Dad
    • Director
      • Liz Friedlander
    • Writer
      • Dianne Houston
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In New York, the polite dance instructor Pierre Dulaine sees a black teenager vandalizing the car of the director of a public school and on the next day he volunteers to teach dance to students to give respect, dignity, self-confidence, trust and teamwork. The reluctant director Augustine James offers the troublemakers that are in detention expecting Pierre to give-up of his intentions. Pierre struggles against the prejudice and ignorance of the students, parents and other teachers, but wins his battle when the group accepts to compete in a ballroom dance contest. —Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    • dance
    • student
    • ballroom
    • detention
    • dancer
    • 109 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Never Follow.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Music
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for thematic material, language and some violence
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The youthful members of cast worked with the real Pierre Dulaine to get their dance moves correct for the movie.
    • Goofs
      At the dance competition Dulaine lets Rock borrow his suit coat. Dulaine is much smaller than Rock, however, the coat looks oversized on Rock when he's on the dance floor.
    • Quotes

      Pierre Dulaine: To do something, anything, is hard. It's much easier to blame your father, your mother, the environment, the government, the lack of money, but even if you find a place to assign the blame,it doesn't make the problems go away.

    • Connections
      Featured in HBO First Look: Take the Lead (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      I Got Rhythm (Take the Lead Remix)
      Written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin

      Performed by Lena Horne

      Additional vocals performed by Q-Tip

      Remixed by Swizz Beatz and Aaron Zigman

      Courtesy of RCA Victor Group by arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment

      Q-Tip appears courtesy of Motown Records a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

    User reviews132

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    The How Do You Say.... Ahh Yessss Movie
    Are there any late 90s SNL fans out there who get the reference in my title? Chris Kattan once did a hilariously bad parody of Antonio Banderas, the idea being that Antionio is so sexy ("tooo sexy! tooo sexy! No, the bambinos!") that he can basically fondle the camera and be a hit. This film, featuring Antonio as a swave, kind-hearted, chivalrous dance instructor with impeccable taste in clothes, is the real life version of that skit. I watched this with my girlfriend, and she kept looking over to ask me if I was still heterosexual.

    So yeah, tons of eye candy for fans of Antonio. Dim the lights, strap on your dancing shoes, or whatever else you care to strap on (I don't even know what that means) and enjoy the film.

    The movie itself is an entertaining blend of gritty realism, fantasy dance, cute comedy and every highschool-misfits-enter-a-competition movie ever made. Much of it is predictable, but it packs enough pirouettes to surprise the audience once in a while. Included in this mostly-tame story are bits of crime, violence, domestic abuse and attempted rape which are convincingly done, due to the excellent acting by these mostly-unknown young actors.

    If you don't know, "Take the Lead" is based on the true story of Pierre Dulaine, a dance instructor who decided to take on some of the roughest schools in NYC by teaching ballroom. Much of the film is dramatized, several bits are outright manufactured, but it more or less stays true to the spirit of Pierre's work. I wish it had expounded more on the philosophy behind the method (which is beautifully explained in Antonio's monologue to the angry parents), but we still get the gist.

    I've read a few reviews and message board comments from people who were infuriated by the ending spectacle, and all I can say is yeah they have a point, but hey this is a movie folks. It's supposed to have some pizazz. I suppose it's the extreme blending of realism and dancing that causes the conflict. If you can go with the flow, I think you'll find it to be a fun and worthwhile flick.

    If you like this sort of story (highschool-misfits-enter-a-competition), I highly recommend the Japanese flick "Swing Girls" about a bunch of nerds trying to learn jazz. On the wacky side is "Kickin It Old Skool" about a bunch of middle aged nerds who never left the 80s trying to win a dance contest. There's a million of em but they never get old, do they? "Take the Lead" is more on the serious side than the others, but hey... it has Antonio Banderas. How do you say... Ahhh yesss.
    helpful•3
    0
    • rooprect
    • Apr 19, 2013

    FAQ1

    • What is the first song in the movie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 7, 2006 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Metropolitan Films (France)
      • Official site (Taiwan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Điệu Nhảy Sôi Động
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • New Line Cinema
      • Tiara Blu Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $30,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $34,742,066
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $12,775,000
      • Apr 9, 2006
    • Gross worldwide
      • $66,500,090
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 58 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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