Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

Take the Lead was fun to watch! Oh, it was hardly original in the genre of “feel good” films, nor was did it offer any fresh insight into the plight of escaping the life of drugs, crime, and prostitution for inner city kids, but it was a good time. I enjoyed the music and the more inspired dance sequences, even if the plot was as predictable as they come. As a movie fanatic, I do not mind the occasional predictable plot in a movie. There is something comforting about knowing what comes next, and let’s face it, Hollywood knows that certain formulas work. And why do they work? Because they have been entertaining us since the dawn of the film industry. I am NOT saying, however, that it’s OK to use the same old boring material over and over and over again. I, for one, am sick of remakes of old movies and third rate TV shows! But the predictable plot, or formula, is something else again. Joseph Campbell described the phenomenon in The Hero with a Thousand Faces. So it seems ridiculous to me when reviewers gripe about a movie being “predictable” as if it’s a sin. I am perfectly willing to forgive predictability in the plot as long as a movie fulfills what I consider to be its primary purpose. Did it entertain me? In the case of Take the Lead, the answer is a resounding “yes!”

Antonio Banderas plays Pierre Dulaine, the international ballroom dancer who started a ballroom dance program for inner city kids in the New York public school system. Of course the two worlds clash when the kids at first (and some of the school’s teachers) feel that ballroom dancing is a waste of the students’ time. But Dulaine persists, knowing that exposure to what he is offering will benefit the students’ lives. When he sets the dance steps to popular music, he hits on a combination that gets the kids’ attention. While it seems the writers have dealt the young characters every bad card in the deck, a few “tough love” lessons shape them up quickly. When the kids discover there is a hefty cash prize for competing in the city wide ballroom dance competition, they become highly motivated students.

Antonio Banderas is reason enough to see the movie. His energy and humor carry it along briskly enough to keep viewers interested. And the music sets the pace. The pulse-pounding, hip gyrating sound track drives the film to a climax of an erotic tango between three students acting out a love triangle that has plagued them throughout the film. They have taken Dulaine’s advice and played to their strengths.

Alfre Woodard plays the tough as nails high school principal who has her doubts about the dance program, but quickly melts for Banderas’ charms. Rob Brown (Finding Forrester/Coach Carter) plays the deeply troubled Rock who is homeless due to alcoholic parents and the death of a dearly loved brother. I had some trouble buying this performance. He was supposed to be street tough and cynical, but he came off as a bit of a wimp. The shining performance of this film, however, came from Yaya Dacosta as LahRette, the daughter of a prostitute, who works hard in school and tends her baby brothers while her mother works. Yaya is a beautiful young woman whose performance carried deep emotion in a convincing portrayal of a difficult role.

I recommend the movie if your looking for a fun, light-hearted, no brainer. Maybe you’ll be inspired to use your own talents to help those less fortunate than yourself. I’ll give it 5 out of 7 stars.

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