Take the Lead (2006)

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

Director:

Liz Friedlander

Writer:

Dianne Houston

Stars:

Antonio Banderas, Rob Brown, Yaya DaCosta

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Antonio Banderas	...	Pierre Dulaine
Rob Brown	...	Rock
Yaya DaCosta	...	LaRhette
Alfre Woodard	...	Augustine James
John Ortiz	...	Mr. Temple
Laura Benanti	...	Tina
Jonathan Malen	...	Kurd
Jasika Nicole	...	Egypt
Shawand McKenzie	...	Big Girl
Dante Basco	...	Ramos
Elijah Kelley	...	Danjou
Jenna Dewan	...	Sasha
Marcus T. Paulk	...	Eddie
Brandon D. Andrews	...	Monster
Lauren Collins	...	Caitlin

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

dance | student | teacher | dance teacher | ballroom | 

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Taglines:

Never Follow.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material, language and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Metropolitan Films [France] Official site [Taiwan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 April 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dance with Me

Filming Locations:

Lower Bay Station, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,051,277, 9 April 2006, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$34,742,066, 1 June 2006

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$65,742,529

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema, Tiara Blu Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The cartoon playing on the television is Terrytoons' 1944 short "Wolf! Wolf!" starring Mighty Mouse, which is in the public domain.

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Goofs

At the dance competition Dulaine lets Rock borrow his Tux coat. Dulaine is much smaller than Rock however, the coat looks over sized on Rock when he's on the dance floor.

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Quotes

LaRhette: You think you one of us now?
Caitlin: No.

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Connections

Features Jerry Springer (1991)

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Soundtracks

Here We Go
Written by Timbaland (as Timothy Z. Mosley) and Jermany V. James
Performed by Dirtbag
Courtesy of Jive Records by arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment

User Reviews

Truly Moving Picture

I saw this film on March 28th, 2006 in Indianapolis. I am one of the judges for the Heartland Film Festival's Truly Moving Picture Award. A Truly Moving Picture "…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life." Heartland gave that award to this film. The setting is a rundown high school in a poor minority neighborhood in Manhatten. The students have a challenging family environment. Their parents are depicted as mostly unemployed and drunks, drug users, prostitutes, and low-lifes. Their children reflect this environment. They hide their low self esteem with bravura, petty crimes, slang, rudeness, indifference and, above all, their love of hip-hop music. By accident and fate, Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) walks into the Principal's office. He is challenged to work with the worst of the students as a volunteer in the detention hall after school. Pierre is an ex-professional ballroom dancer and runs a ballroom dancing school. He decides to get to the kids with ballroom dancing. His competition is hip-hop music and hip-hop dancing and the ghetto, chip-on-the-shoulder attitudes. Pierre tackles his assignment with presence. He is impeccably dressed, polite, and exudes intensity and confidence. Over time and with difficulty, he starts to bring the troubled teens up to his level. He never goes down to their level. And then he challenges the teens with a city-wide ballroom dance contest, and the story takes off. Pierre attempts to give hope to the students by having them make good choices. Pierre's tools are his own spirit, grace, sacrifice and charm. He wills his way into getting respect from the students. The movie has the same inspirational feel as "Mad Hot Ballroom" but is much different. This film is fiction and about older students and is much more edgy and brutal. While the film is occasionally edgy and dark, the music and dance makes this strangely a light and entertaining watch for most of the time. And the music and dance are eclectic – from Gershwin to 50 Cents and from Tango to slow motion Breakdance. FYI – There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past Truly Moving Picture Award winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.