Take the Leadis a 2006 Americandramadancefilm directed byLiz Friedlanderand starringAntonio Banderasas dance instructorPierre Dulaine,the founder of Dancing Classrooms. It also starsAlfre Woodard,John Ortiz,Rob Brown,Yaya DaCosta,Dante Basco,Elijah Kelley,andJenna Dewan.The film was released on April 7, 2006. Although based inNew York City,it was filmed inToronto.Stock footage of various locations in New York City was used.
| Take the Lead | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Liz Friedlander |
| Written by | Dianne Houston |
| Produced by | Christopher Godsick Michelle Grace Diane Nabatoff |
| Starring | Antonio Banderas Rob Brown Alfre Woodard |
| Cinematography | Alex Nepomniaschy |
| Edited by | Robert Ivison |
| Music by | Aaron Zigman Swizz Beatz |
Production company | Tiara Blu Films |
| Distributed by | New Line Cinema |
Release date |
|
Running time | 118 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $30 million[1] |
| Box office | $66.2 million[2] |
Plot
editA group of students are preparing for a school dance. Rock arrives with a damaged ticket and is denied entry by Mr. Temple and Principal James. After leaving, Rock is provoked by a group of thugs to vandalize the Principal's car. When Pierre Dulaine comes on the scene, they all run off.
The next morning, Pierre arrives at the school to see the Principal. After explaining that he witnessed her car being vandalized, Pierre offers to take over the detention shift and teach them ballroom dancing. She agrees, although she feels sure that he will not last more than a day. His first class goes badly due to the scepticism and uncooperative personalities of the students. When Pierre returns the next morning, Principal James explains that the reason LaRhette had refused to dance with Rock the day before was because Rock's brother was involved in a gang war, in which one of the casualties was LaRhette's brother.
At Pierre's dance studio, Caitlin is under pressure to learn to dance because hercotillionis approaching. She feels a failure and envies Morgan for her graceful sensuality, remarking to Pierre that she is "like sex on hardwood." This gives Pierre an idea of how to reach out to the kids in detention. He invites Morgan to give them a demonstration of the tango, which inspires the students to be more willing to learn. Caitlin decides to join them for dance class and practices with Monster. Though the other students suspect her of wanting to "tell herupper classfriends that she's slumming "at first, they learn to accept her when she admits that she feels better with them.
LaRhette, the daughter of a prostitute, cares for her younger siblings while her mother works the streets. One night, she runs out of the apartment and to the school after one of her mother's clients attempts to rape her. While practicing her dancing, she runs into Rock, who'd gone down there to sleep after losing his job and getting kicked out of his house after a physical confrontation with his drunken father over the death of Rock's brother. They fight and are caught by security. Principal James wants to suspend them both, but agrees to give them extra detention with Pierre instead.
Pierre tells the class about a dance competition that he wants them to enter. Gradually, the students begin to trust Pierre; Kurd even visits his apartment to discuss his sexual problems. When the detention basement is flooded, Pierre takes the students to his dance studio to practice. The youngsters become disheartened by the skills of Pierre's students there as well as the $200 entrance fee for the contest. However, Pierre manages to inspire them again and promises to pay the fee. LaRhette and Rock, who have now learned to respect each other, are assigned to compete in the waltz, and rivals Ramos and Danjou learn to share Sasha during practice.
Mr. Temple complains about the school's resources being wasted on the dance program. When Pierre is brought to a meeting with the parents' association, he convinces them to keep the program going after demonstrating how ballroom dancing has taught the students "teamwork, respect, and dignity". On the night of the contest, Rock is told by the gang he has joined that he must participate in a theft. He intentionally shoots the sprinkler system, setting off the alarm, and all have to flee.
At the competition, it is announced that a $5000 prize will be given to the winning team. Monster intervenes in the cotillion and saves Caitlin from tripping. Sasha, Danjou, and Ramos perform an impressive three-person tango but are disqualified because the event is apartner dance.Morgan is awarded the prize but defuses the tension by calling it a tie and giving Sasha her trophy. Principal James is impressed with the success of the program and tells Pierre she is making it permanent. Rock arrives at the last minute to dance the waltz with LaRhette, whom he kisses at the end. The final credits roll as Pierre's students triumphantly dance tohip hopmusic, having taken over the sound system.
Since "Dancing Classrooms" was created by Pierre Dulaine, it has grown to involve 42 instructors and more than 12,000 students in 120 New York City public schools. It is currently expanding across America.
Cast
edit- Antonio BanderasasPierre Dulaine,a ballroom dance instructor
- Alfre Woodardas Principal Augustine James
- John Ortizas Mr. Joseph Temple, a teacher who only cares for academic success.
- Students
- Rob Brownas Jason 'Rock' Rockwell
- Yaya DaCostaas LaRhette Dudley
- Dante Bascoas Ramos
- Elijah Kelleyas Danjou
- Jenna Dewanas Sasha Bulut, who is caught in alove trianglewith Danjou and Ramos.
- Laura Benantias Tina
- Jasika Nicoleas Egypt
- Brandon D. Andrews as 'Monster', a large and overweight pupil
- Lauren Collinsas Caitlin
- Marcus T. Paulkas Eddie, a talented DJ
- Katya Virshilasas Morgan
- Jonathan Malenas Kurd
- Shawand McKenzie as Big Girl, Monster's cousin
- Joseph Pierreas Trey
The film also starsAlison Sealy-Smithand Phillip Jarrett as Rock's parents; Jo Chim as Gretchen;Kevin Hanchardas Woodley; Joseph Pierre as Trey;Lyriq Bentas Easy; and Sharron Matthews as Ms. Rosemead.
Production
editCasting
edit
Banderas initially turned the producers down; not even bothering to read the script. The thought of ballroom dancing sounded "so cheesy",[3]and he felt the film didn't have much of a story. He said to his agent: "nah, I don't want to do this", but after much persuasion, he agreed to meet with the producers; giving them a chance to at least "explain what" they were "trying to do". Once they showed Banderas a documentary on Pierre Dulaine, he said he "loved" it.[4] He found Dulaine to be "very" fascinating.[4]
Many of the "kids" had little or no acting experience prior to being cast inTake the Lead.Brandon Andrews, who portrayed Monster, had just "graduated [from high school] and had" never auditioned [for a film] before ". At the time of his discovery, he was playing on the" football team at Dominguez High School in Compton, California ".[5]Likewise, the film marked the feature film debut ofYaya DaCosta.Her only acting experience before the film had been starring in an episode ofEve.Lauren Collinswas cast under similar circumstances; like DaCosta,Take the Leadwas her first feature film. Although she had the advantage of having worked on various TV shows and television movies since 1998, she found the "entire process" of making a feature film different to working on television.[6]On the other hand,Rob Brownwas already a fairly established actor. He was studying at college when cast as Jason "Rock" Rockwell, and graduated after the film's release.[7]
Release
editTake the Leadpremiered on March 17, 2006 at theRiverRun International Film FestivalinWinston-Salem, North Carolina.[8]It was released in Israel on April 6, 2006, followed by the United States and Canada on April 7. Theatrical releases continued to occur around the world until July 14, 2007.[9]
Critical reception
editMetacritic reports a score of 55 out of 100 (based on 30 critics), indicating a "mixed or average" reviews.[10]Rotten Tomatoesreports a similar score; 44 percent of critics gave the film a positive review (based on 119 reviews - 52 "fresh" and 67 "rotten" ), with an average rating of 5.4 out of 10. The site's consensus states: "Banderas is charismatic in the lead, and the dance sequences are captivating, but the story is too familiar and predictable."[11]
Roger Ebert,of theChicago Sun-Times,awarded three out of four stars. Having seen the "charming" documentaryMad Hot Ballroom,he anticipated the "general direction" the film would take. While the film wasn't "particularly original" and lacked the impact of earlier "classroom parables";Stand and DeliverandLean on Me,Antonio Banderas was "reason enough" to see the film. From Ebert's perspective, the film was "more fable than record", and "more wishful thinking than a plan of action".[12]
Box office performance
editThe film earned $4.2 million on its opening day, debuting third place at the domestic box office. It grossed a further $4.9 million on the second day, and another $3 million on the third. In its opening weekend,Take the Leadgrossed a total of $12.1 million at the domestic box office. The film's performance proceeded to fluctuate; depending on the day, gross takings could increase by as much as 110 percent and vice versa. The film ultimately grossed a total of $34.7 million at the U.S. box office,[13]and $31 million at the international box office, bringing the worldwide gross to $66 million.[2]
| Release date(s) | Production budget[1] | Box office revenue[2] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Other markets | Worldwide | ||
| April 6, 2006(Israel) April 7, 2006(United States/Canada) April 13, 2006 to July 14, 2007(Multiple countries) |
$30,000,000 | $34,742,066 | $31,000,463 | $65,742,529 |
Home video
editOn August 29, 2006,Take the Leadwas released on DVD byNew Line Home Entertainment.[14]As of September 22, 2015, the film has grossed $21.2 million in domestic home video sales.[15]
Soundtrack
edit| Take the Lead (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack albumby various artists | |
| Released | March 28, 2006 |
| Recorded | 2005–2006 |
| Genre | Hip hop,R&B,dance |
| Length | 44:21 |
| Label | |
| Producer |
|
| SinglesfromTake the Lead (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | |
| |
The official single: "Take The Lead (Wanna Ride)",a collaboration between American hip hop groupBone Thugs-n-Harmonyand Puerto Rican duoWisin & Yandel,featuring rapperFatman Scoopand singer Melissa Jiménez, was released on March 21, 2006.
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Got Rhythm(Take the Lead Remix) "(performed byLena Horne,Marty PaichandQ-Tip) |
| 2:17 | |
| 2. | "Take the Lead (Wanna Ride)"(performed byBone Thugs-n-Harmony,Wisin & Yandel,Fatman Scoopand Melissa Jiménez) |
| Swizz Beatz | 3:28 |
| 3. | "Feel It" (performed byBlack Eyed Peas) | 4:21 | ||
| 4. | "I Like That (Stop)" (performed byJae Millz) |
| Cool & Dre | 3:45 |
| 5. | "These Days" (performed byRhymefest) | Mark Ronson | 3:40 | |
| 6. | "Here We Go" (performed by Dirtbag) |
| Timbaland | 3:42 |
| 7. | "Whuteva" (performed byRemy Ma) | Swizz Beatz | 3:47 | |
| 8. | "Ya Ya (Al Stone Mix)" (performed by the Empty Heads) |
| 3:07 | |
| 9. | "Never Gonna Get It" (performed by Sean Biggs, Topic andAkon) |
| Ron "Neff-U" Feemster | 3:37 |
| 10. | "I Like That You Can't Take That Away From Me" (performed by Jae Millz,June Christy,Eric B. & RakimandMashonda) |
| Grant McSleazy | 2:29 |
| 11. | "Fascination" (performed byKem) | Carlos Gunn[c] | 4:49 | |
| 12. | "Qué Será, Será (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) (Bonus Track)" (performed bySly and the Family Stone) |
| Sly Stone | 5:19 |
| Total length: | 44:21 | |||
Stage musical adaptation
editThe film was adapted into a stage musical that will debut at thePaper Mill Playhousein March 2025.[16]
- Notes
References
edit- ^abTake the Lead(2006)Archived2014-08-10 at theWayback Machine,www.the-numbers.com.Retrieved 09-22-2015.
- ^abc"Take the Lead (2006)".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on 8 March 2018.Retrieved8 March2018.
- ^abLongsdorf, Amy."Take the Lead:Banderas finds dance makes the human connection In his own words ",www.articles.mcall.com,published 04-06-2006. Retrieved 09-23-2015.
- ^abFischer, Paul."Antonio Banderas interview forTake the Lead"Archived2016-06-10 at theWayback Machine,www.darkhorizons.com,published 04-06-2008. Retrieved 09-22-2015.
- ^Carroll, Larry."Antonio Banderas mayTake The Leadin creating hip-hop/ballroom dance trendArchived2015-09-25 at theWayback Machine,www.mtv.com,published 10-26-2005. Retrieved 09-22-2015.
- ^Malen, Daniel."A conversation with Lauren Collins"Archived2015-09-23 at theWayback Machine,www.thetvaddict.com,published 05-11-2006. Retrieved 09-23-2015.
- ^Williams, Kam."Rob Brown: Express-ing Himself (Interview)"Archived2015-09-13 at theWayback Machine,www.aalbc.com,publish date unknown. Retrieved 09-22-2015.
- ^"History of the RiverRun International Film FestivalArchived2019-04-17 at theWayback Machine,www.riverrunfilm.com.Retrieved 09-22-2015.
- ^"Take the Leadinternational theatrical release dates "Archived2015-09-23 at theWayback Machine,www.boxofficemojo.com.Retrieved 09-22-2015.
- ^"Take the Leadcritical reception "Archived2017-09-23 at theWayback Machine,Metacritic.Retrieved 09-22-2015.
- ^"Take the Leadcritical reception "Archived2016-03-11 at theWayback Machine,Rotten Tomatoes.Retrieved 09-22-2015.
- ^Ebert, Roger."Take the Lead(2006) film review "Archived2015-09-23 at theWayback Machine,www.rogerebert.com,published 04-06-2006. Retrieved 09-22-2015.
- ^"Breakdown of the domestic gross forTake the Lead"Archived2015-09-23 at theWayback Machine,www.the-numbers.com.Retrieved 09-22-2015.
- ^"Take the Leadhome video release "Archived2015-09-23 at theWayback Machine,www.boxofficemojo.com.Retrieved 09-22-2015.
- ^"Take the Leadhome video grossArchived2015-09-23 at theWayback Machine,www.the-numbers.com.Retrieved 09-22-2015.
- ^[1]
External links
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