Center Stage

Center Stage

Being of the male persuasion, this isn't a movie I would typically go to the theater to see. However, not being the stereotypical male, I decided to rent it on video and watch it together with my girlfriend. This movie is your typical teenage gal film. All the elements are there... good girl, bad girl, holier-than-thou girl, homosexual friend, domineering mother, bad guy, good guy... the list goes on and on. Jody Sawyer (played quite well by newcomer Amanda Schull) wants to be a ballet dancer. She is already good, but she wants to be the best. She joins on with a famous ballet school, and commences auditions for the all-out ballet blast at the end of the school year, where the dancers will be watched very closely, and some of them will be signed with major ballet companies. Along the way, she runs into some problems with the other members of the school, as well as the company director. She finds that ballet schools aren't all they are cracked up to be. (Who knew?!) They are more about politics than they are about dancing. She gets burned by one guy, encouraged by another, and tries to be the best she can. Eventually, she finds the way to her dreams, but not in the typical way, the one the viewer may expect. Acting here is a tad hollow. However, for a cast of unknowns, it's pretty fair. After all, this movie is about dancing, not about acting. As might be expected, everybody here is gorgeous. (Are they trying to tell us there are no visually unpleasant ballet dancers... anywhere?!) Aside from that, the storyline is rather unbelievable, and contrived. This leads to a loss of major points. The best thing about this movie is the dancing. If you are a fan of ballet, be sure and rent this video. It has some of the best ballet dancing that can be seen in any other movie. In particular, the dance exhibition at the end is magnificent! If you are male, watch this one with your female significant other. (It's good for points.) If you are a gay male, watch it with your male significant other. If you are female, just watch it, you'll love it, especially if you are into cotton candy type films. Overall, it it's no Oscar winner, but it isn't too bad, either. Did I mention the dancing was pretty good? My Rating: 6/10

Great movie. This movie is about a group of training ballet dancers from top ballet a school in NYC. The dancers become friends facing challenging situations together. A story about artists finding themselves in situations that help them overcome certain personality traits. Great talented cast, a staple in the dance community, a realistic storyline that captivates emotions and real life events. Thus a much too similar plot, the story was of great deliverance. A story many dancers can relate to. Not just about dancing. More so, about the obstacles you have endure to gain respect as a dancer. A must watch. Great film

Sure the plot is kinda cheesy, as well as the acting (other than the always flawless Zoe Saldana) but the dancing is fantastic! I couldn't help but get taken in by how talented these dancers are. It made me want to take more dance classes when I first saw it! Overall a very fun movie that shares a pretty good lesson.

Although this movie has NOT gotten spectacular views--who cares? It is almost definate that it's critics did not appreciate dance, perhaps they were even bald, 56 year old men who had never been to a ballet. GRANTED, this movie IS NOT for everyone. If you have ever taken dance or been to a ballet, however--go see it. Its alot of danicng--and little plot...but you'll enjoy it!

I had the benefit (I use the word loosely) of seeing this movie amongst professional ballet dancers. Many of them knew the the supporting cast, some of them were actually read for the parts. I sat there, watching each and every dancer lovingly tear apart everything in this movie. My best friend owns it, loves it and hates it with such intensity that it's ripping his soul apart. He has it memorized, but only for its campy misrepresentation of the professional ballet world. This movie gives people the grossest overstatement of what the ballet world is all about. And for all the ballets I've seen, I haven't seen one with as fast costume and set changes as the one staged at the end of the movie. And GOD, what is with Ethan Stiefel? The worst actor in film history. I have, unfortunately seen this movie more than twice, and will probably see it again, but for nothing else then to ridicule it and laugh at it like I'm sure all strippers did at Showgirls.

I'm usually not into shallow, predictable, and contrived movies like this one, but for some reason, I am absolutely in love with this movie. It's one of those films that just makes you happy. The only two people that I recognize in the film are Peter Gallagher and the girl who plays Marleen (she was in Drive me Crazy, another one of my guilty pleasure flix). However, everyone does a very respectable job. I was very impressed to learn that the guy who plays Cooper Nielson (a character who is supposed to be one of the best ballet dancers in the ballet world) is in fact considered to be one of the best ballet dancers. I think real dancers are a great ingredient for a movie about dance. I recommend this one to any young chick. I've watched it at least once a week for the past 2 months, and I still can't get tired of it.

"Center Stage" gives a powerful look at professional dance that is rarely seen by the public. The plot circles around young dance students, their relationships, trials, and their futures as dancers. A taste of Dirty Dancing will bring back envious feelings and energy is brought to the picture with a splash of Fame. Personally, this movie made me wish I could be a fantastic ballet dancer....and in my opinion it was fantastic.

A film about ballet dancing sounded terrible to me, but I saw this at the movies and since have watched it on DVD at least 10 times. It is one of those rare films that is brand new, yet gives you a sense of nostalgic fun. I am not into any kind of dancing in any way, shape or form, but I found this film to be beautiful. I love the soundtrack, it fits perfectly. I love the ballet scenes - they are surprisingly magical and enchanting. I love the cast - mainly unknowns make the film so much nicer. I love the outcome of the film - predictable, but immensely satisfying. This is a very believable, romantic and fun storyline that I can watch over and over again. It makes me feel like a child again, and became one of my instant favourite films once I saw it. Definitely in my top ten list of films I never get sick of watching. Watch this one on a rainy day, or when you are feeling a bit down. It is strangely comforting, like a security blanket, and I don't really know why. Highly recommended.

We've seen the story a million times. the movie plot is not original. But I suppose I'm mesmerized by all the dancing. One thing I HAVE to say is that I am quite impressed that they have so many talented ballet dancers who are semi-decent actors & good looking. I'd say each of the dancers was fantastic (though I know nothing about ballet), and they all gave convincing performances. usually, something lacks. Anyway, it's one of the happy films that's great for teens...and adults like me (30 something). (if only Jody didn't "spend the night" with Cooper...argh! Where is your DISCIPLINE, girlfriend?! ;)