Take the Lead

views updated

Take the Lead ★★½ 2006 (PG-13)

Charming Banderas dances with happy feet in this cliched, inspirational saga based on a true story. The instructor/owner of a Manhattan ballroom dance academy, Pierre Dulaine offers his services to Principal James (Woodard) in an effort to teach her South Bronx high school detention students some discipline and manners. The kids are reluctantly impressed by a smoldering tango, and Dulaine is equally intrigued when they add their hip-hop moves to his formal steps. Everyone is gradually won over and, yes, it all leads up to a big “I've had the time of my life” dance competition. 117m/C DVD . US Antonio Banderas, Alfre Woodard, Jenna Dewan, Dante Basco, Rob Brown, Yaya DaCosta, Lauren Collins, John Ortiz, Brandon D. Andrews; D: Liz Friedlander; W: Dianne Houston; C: Alex Nepomniaschy; M: Aaron Zigman.