'Take the Lead': Banderas glides through predictable plot
by Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
It's almost a rule of thumb in Hollywood. If you're an actor at loose ends — career's not in the toilet, but your previous film's opening weekend was a little, well, soft — best look for a movie about an inspirational teacher. Michelle Pfeiffer in "Dangerous Minds." Richard Dreyfuss in "Mr. Holland's Opus." Robin Williams in "Dead Poets Society." Now it's Antonio Banderas' turn.
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A former professional ballroom dancer volunteers to teach dance at a New York public school. The hip-hop instincts of his students soon clash with his ballroom methods, so he teams up with them to create a new style of dance.
New Line Cinema
'Take the Lead'
Director: Liz Friedlander
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Rob Brown, Yaya DaCosta, Dante Basco, John Ortiz
Run time: 108 minutes
Release date: April 7, 2006
Rating: PG-13 for thematic material, language and some violence.
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: C+
"Yes, it's redemption by rhumba, but Banderas pretty much pulls it off. He invests the role with his considerable charm and smooth dance moves."
The Palm Beach Post: C+
"Banderas has the right blend of sex appeal and self-effacing charm as Dulaine and he sure can do a mean tango. The dance scenes are uniformly appealing..."
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