InsidePulse Review – Take the Lead

Credit: www.impawards.com

Director:

Liz Friedlander

Cast:

Antonio Banderas……….Pierre Dulaine
Rob Brown………Rock
Alfre Woodard……….Augustine James
Dante Basco……….Ramos
Yaya DaCosta……….LaRhette
John Ortiz……….Mr. Temple
Laura Benanti……….Tina
Marcus T. Paulk……….Eddie

New Line Cinema presents Take the Lead. Written by Dianne Houston. Running time: 108 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for thematic material, language and some violence).

A quick lesson in manners. When somebody does something thoughtful it’s common to hear the words “thank you” followed by a “you’re welcome.” But, if you are a juvenile delinquent at an inner city school you’d either spout some expletive or deliver a guttural “uh-huh.” This lack in good manners could be blamed for any number of reasons: bad parenting, the social environment in poor neighborhoods or the lack of schooling. With learning districts fortifying their institutions with metal detectors and RFM ID badges – to keep track of students – what happened to education? Now instead of getting on my pulpit and telling stories that begins with, “Well, back in my day…”, I would rather give a more optimistic view of high school

Last year an extraordinary documentary about ballroom dancing and its impact on a number of inner city schools waltzed its way into theaters with much critical aplomb. Titled Mad Hot Ballroom, the film showed the importance of kids doing an extracurricular activity. The kids may have been skeptical at learning how to dance, but they seemed enthusiastic about it. Not like the students in Take the Lead. Gone are the little elementary children who are still pure and uncorrupted by the likes of teenybopper pop and media-type role models. In their places are a group of detention hall rejects, which congregate day after day in the high school basement.

Based on a true story of sorts, the film has the idea that gangbangers, troublemakers and the like can be reformed by the art of ballroom dancing. Understand that these teenagers aren’t the kind to be easily swayed by dance steps. They’re incorrigible louses that are nothing but headaches to teachers and their classrooms.

Enter the problem solver: Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas), Manhattan dance teacher extraordinaire. Bike riding by an area high school one night he sees a young man vandalize a car with a golf club. The next morning he walks into the school and tells the principal (Alfre Woodard) he teaches ballroom dancing. Needing a replacement detention supervisor, she proposes Mr. Dulaine come back at three-thirty.

He may not be Fred Astaire reborn, but Pierre Dulaine dresses for success even if it is just a suit to school. Still, that doesn’t save him from the asinine remarks made by students, like, “Who died?” or “Why are you dressed like you’re going to a funeral?” Not to let these comments burden him, Dulaine carries himself with grace and self-respect.

While Dulaine is optimistic when it comes to the hard knock lives of inner city youth, the principal Mrs. Augustine James is a realist, worried at what the future holds in store for them. Perhaps that is why she wanders the halls in between classes to see if she can spot any miscreant behavior or dress code violations. Yet, she could be looking for more students for Mr. Dulaine’s afternoon ballroom dance class. Mrs. James just wants what’s best for her students. During her tenure a number of kids have died, either at the hands of other students or criminal behavior. So excuse her if she doesn’t share Mr. Dulaine’s benevolent demeanor.

Undaunted by the lack of encouragement, Dulaine prevails and walks into the blackboard jungle. The students look at him as if he’s just another hapless overseer. The detention hall rejects try to resist what their teacher is trying to accomplish, but they are captivated by the movements. And when Dulaine brings in one of his sexiest, advanced ballroom dancers, jaws hit the floor; the men wish they had a pen to get her number. If what Mr. Dulaine wanted to prove, that the tango is the hottest dance and the closest you can get to sex without actually having sex, well he made his point.

The tango notwithstanding, Take the Lead is far from an original movie. The heart is there, but compared to the likes of Stand and Deliver, Mr. Holland’s Opus, or Lean on Me, it doesn’t have the lasting impression. Story arcs involving various dance students are shown, but they lack depth. It is conceivable this was the filmmaker’s intention after all. We are given just enough background information to understand their everyday troubles.

Though some will take offense at how an outsider teaching the cha-cha-cha is of greater concern than students using and selling drugs or engaging in sex, it is minor issue. Instead, have fun with the movie. Look at the film and be utterly amazed at how those who are vulgar and disobedient can be inspired by ballroom dancing.