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Antonio Banderas, Rob Brown (VI), Lauren Collins, Brandon D. Andrews, Anna Demitrie Melamed ... see more see more... , Jenna Dewan , Alfre Woodard , Katya Virshilas , Dante Basco , Marcus T. Paulk , Elijah Kelley , John Ortiz , Laura Benanti , Yaya DaCosta , Jasika Nicole

A teacher and his students open up new worlds for one another in this urban drama inspired by a true story. Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) is a prize-winning ballroom dancer and instructor from Man... read more read more...hattan who volunteers his services to a high school in one of the roughest neighborhoods in the Bronx. Principal Augustine James (Alfre Woodard) in turn gives Dulaine a tough assignment -- a detention class with some of the biggest troublemakers on campus. When the kids learn that Dulaine intends to teach them how to dance in the classic style, they're incredulous at best and dismissive at worst -- until Dulaine demonstrates his moves for the class. While Dulaine's charges -- including Rock (Rob Brown), LaRhette (Yaya DaCosta), Ramos (Dante Basco), Eddie (Marcus T. Paulk), and Sasha (Jenna Dewan) -- respect his talent, they have their own way of dancing, and as they mix hip-hop moves with ballroom discipline, they create an exciting new style. Dulaine also strives to instill self-confidence and a work ethic in his kids, insisting they can make their way out of the ghetto if they're willing to try. Screenwriter Dianne Houston based Take the Lead on the real-life story of Pierre Dulaine, who taught dance as a volunteer to at-risk students at New York elementary schools. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

78% liked it

350,712 ratings

Critics

44% liked it

119 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 48 min.

Directed by: Liz Friedlander

Release Date: April 7, 2006

Keywords: dance, dancing

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DVD Release Date: August 29, 2006

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Stats: 19,507 reviews

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Take the Lead Take the lead Take the Lead (2006) take the lead Yaya DaCosta Yaya DaCosta Yaya DaCosta Yaya DaCosta Elijah Kelley Rob Brown Rob Brown Yaya DaCosta Yaya DaCosta Yaya DaCosta Jenna Dewan... Yaya DaCosta Elijah Kelley Yaya DaCosta
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Flixster Reviews (19,507)

  • murphmann93
    June 23, 2011
    murphmann93
    Another great dance film. The fact that it was a true story made me like it more. Made it much more honest and happier.
  • jennifxu
    May 1, 2011
    jennifxu
    The whole bring-culture-to-the-inner-city-kids thing is so overdone, but the dances are nice.
  • TomBowler
    August 2, 2009
    TomBowler
    really moving story about a dance teacher. the only difficulty the movie shows is trying to keep track of and further so many different stories and characters.
  • magnum32004
    October 31, 2007
    magnum32004
    An inspiring, foot-stomping, entertaining dance movie that will entertain both younger and older viewers.
  • EightThirty
    August 31, 2007
    EightThirty
    I liked this one...Not bad...very good actually ^_^
  • gatorgirl13
    May 30, 2007
    gatorgirl13
    It was ok.
  • binky013
    March 20, 2007
    binky013
    Clarke, my apologies in advance. Sorry, but this was about as not really good as I worried it might be. Again, Clarke, sorry, but I strongly advise flixsters who might read this not to watch this. Sorry, it's not really very good. Life truly is sometimes shorter than we think... read more, and ars, especially ars like this project, really won't be longa -- actually shorta, no kidding . . .
  • superclerk25
    December 28, 2006
    superclerk25
    Not that bad but that same as all the other movies of it's kind.
  • MissMorganLeee
    December 1, 2006
    MissMorganLeee
    good even tho i dont like rap. wish i could dance like that tee hee
  • deano
    September 24, 2006
    deano
    Absolutely tango dance and ballroom! What I thought of Antonio is alike Aussie Paul Mercurio in Strictly Ballroom (1992).

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Critic Reviews

Richard Roeper
April 10, 2006
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

it's just ridiculous, it's just ridiculous. One cliché right after another. Not for one second did I believe any of this. Full Review

Stephanie Zacharek
April 7, 2006
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

While we may be able to pretty much guess everything that's going to happen in Take the Lead, its considerable charm lies in the way it fulfills, rather than bucks, our expectations. Full Review

Claudia Puig
April 7, 2006
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Think of it as the fictionalized version of last year's engaging documentary Mad Hot Ballroom, with teen dancers and sexier moves. It is also more formulaic and clichéd, thanks to the predictable plot... Full Review

Peter Howell
April 7, 2006
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

Take the Lead is pure entertainment, if only for the endless amusement of watching Banderas spread the gospel of ballroom like he was born wearing a tuxedo. Full Review

Ruthe Stein
April 7, 2006
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle

Although based on a true story, Take the Lead continually strains credibility. Full Review

James Berardinelli
April 7, 2006
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

One of the year's most uninspired inspirational stories. Full Review

Carrie Rickey
April 7, 2006
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

It's a ballroom/hip-hop mash-up that, although at times discordant and at all times familiar, moves with Banderas' brio and bounce.

Roger Moore
April 7, 2006
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Cute as a boutonniere and bouncy as a swing beat, Take the Lead is an 'inspired by a true story' spin on Mad Hot Ballroom. Full Review

Lisa Rose
April 7, 2006
Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger

The performances deserve applause. The script is another story. Full Review

Kyle Smith
April 7, 2006
Kyle Smith, New York Post

Like the recent Glory Road, Take the Lead tweaks a true story to sell more tickets. But at what point do movies like this one begin to fuel the racial hatred that they ostensibly deplore?

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Take the Lead Trivia

  • Based on a true story, this inspirational drama tells the tale of a former professional dancer who teaches Ballroom dancing to inner-city kids.(2006)   Answer »
  • The actor who played the character Rufio in the movie 'Hook' recently appeared in this movie?  Answer »
  • Dancing is the main similarities between these movies. Which of the 3 movies are they?  Answer »
  • Which movie has the tagline " Never Follow " ?  Answer »
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