Take the Lead

Take the Lead (2006)

  • 44% of critics liked it
    (119 reviews)

  • 78% of users liked it
    (350,712 ratings)

A teacher and his students open up new worlds for one another in this urban drama inspired by a true story. Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) is a prize-winning ballroom dancer and instructor from Manhattan who volunteers his services to a high school in one of the roughest neighborhoods in the… More

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PG-13, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By
Liz Friedlander
Genres
Musical & Performing Arts, Drama
In Theaters
Apr 7, 2006 Wide
On DVD
Aug 29, 2006
New Line Cinema

Critic Reviews

  • Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

    it's just ridiculous, it's just ridiculous. One cliché right after another. Not for one second did I believe any of this.

  • Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

    While we may be able to pretty much guess everything that's going to happen in Take the Lead, its considerable charm lies in the way it fulfills, rather than bucks, our expectations.

  • Claudia Puig, USA Today

    Think of it as the fictionalized version of last year's engaging documentary Mad Hot Ballroom, with teen dancers and sexier moves. It is also more formulaic and clichéd, thanks to the predictable plot and theme.

  • Peter Howell, Toronto Star

    Take the Lead is pure entertainment, if only for the endless amusement of watching Banderas spread the gospel of ballroom like he was born wearing a tuxedo.

  • Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle

    Although based on a true story, Take the Lead continually strains credibility.

Read all 20 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Bethany M


    Another great dance film. The fact that it was a true story made me like it more. Made it much more honest and happier.

  • Jennifer X


    The whole bring-culture-to-the-inner-city-kids thing is so overdone, but the dances are nice.

  • Thomas B


    really moving story about a dance teacher. the only difficulty the movie shows is trying to keep track of and further so many different stories and characters.

  • Keith A


    An inspiring, foot-stomping, entertaining dance movie that will entertain both younger and older viewers.

  • EightThirty .


    I liked this one...Not bad...very good actually ^_^

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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