.

Take the Lead

Antonio Banderas, Dante Basco, Lauren Collins, Jenna Dewan, Elijah Kelley

Directed by Liz Friedlander
Rolling Stone: star rating
5 2.5
Community: star rating
5 2.5 0
April 4, 2006

Antonio Banderas has the moves. So it's a kick to watch him play Pierre Dulaine, the dance teacher who took his skills into New York's public-school system and turned troubled teens into ballroom smoothies. Inspired by a true story (translation: a lot of it is made up), the movie shucks its corn straight from the cob. But it's no less engaging for that, thanks to the enthusiasm of the young cast and the fusion of classic dance with hip-hop moves courtesy of Rich and Tone Talauega. First-time director Liz Friedlander, who did videos for U2 and Blink-182, wisely lets Banderas tango with Katya Virshilas, who'd make anyone sign up for lessons. They're mad hot.

prev
Movie Review Main Next

ADD A COMMENT

Community Guidelines »
loading comments

loading comments...

COMMENTS

Sort by:
    Read More

    Movie Reviews

    More Reviews »
    Daily Newsletter

    Get the latest RS news in your inbox.

    Sign up to receive the Rolling Stone newsletter and special offers from RS and its
    marketing partners.

    X

    We may use your e-mail address to send you the newsletter and offers that may interest you, on behalf of Rolling Stone and its partners. For more information please read our Privacy Policy.

    Song Stories

    “Helen Wheels”

    Paul McCartney | 1973

    A rollicking good-time hard rocker, "Helen Wheels" was not about a woman but about Paul McCartney's Land Rover, the anthemic chorus voicing the vehicle's reckless joy as "she" took to the road. The song was added to the U.S. version of Band on the Run but was issued only as a single in McCartney's native U.K. "I like that because it's a British road song and there's not many of those around," said McCartney. "It's always Route 66. But Carlisle? How many songs have got Carlisle in them?"

    More Song Stories entries »