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Center Stage (2000)

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Average Rating: 5/10
Reviews Counted: 80
Fresh: 34 | Rotten: 46

Critics say that if you're willing to suffer through soap opera-like dialogue and plot to see some excellent dancing, this movie is for you. Otherwise, you might be better off renting Fame.

Average Rating: 5.2/10
Critic Reviews: 21
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 12

Critics say that if you're willing to suffer through soap opera-like dialogue and plot to see some excellent dancing, this movie is for you. Otherwise, you might be better off renting Fame.

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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 102,117

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Movie Info

In this emotional drama, a team of young dancers are competing for places in a prestigious dance troupe. The dancers have to deal with the ups and downs of trying to find their place in the world, even as their profession also places an enormous physical and psychological challenge before them. They train with the rigor of championship athletes, and like most aspiring athletes, they know that only a tiny number of them will achieve the goal they've set for themselves. Director Nicholas Hytner)

PG-13, 1 hr. 55 min.

Musical & Performing Arts, Drama

Directed By: Nicholas Hytner

Written By: Carol Heikkinen

In Theaters: May 12, 2000 Wide

On DVD: May 8, 2001

Columbia Pictures

Assuming that every generation needs its own dance film, Hytner revists the turf of films like Turning Point (classic ballet), Chrous Line (Broadway dancing) and Saturday Night Fever (disco) and blends together their themes and persona to little effect.

August 28, 2006 Full Review Source: Variety

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

Top Critic

The acting is wooden.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle

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Peter Stack

San Francisco Chronicle

Top Critic

Nicholas Hytner's movie might be subtitled Beverly Hills 90210 Goes to Juilliard.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Village Voice

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Elizabeth Zimmer

Village Voice

Top Critic

Center Stage is all dancing and hugging and no good.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

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Desson Thomson

Washington Post

Top Critic

Both too high-minded and too low-minded.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee

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Joe Baltake

Sacramento Bee

Top Critic

Fortunately, it also contains several more complex characters who manage to make the film a surprisingly engaging affair.

January 1, 2000 Comment

Monica Eng

Chicago Tribune

Top Critic

Melodramatic, a bit racy -- some teens will love.

January 2, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

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Randy White

Common Sense Media

If I was a 12 year old girl who takes any sort of dance classes, this would be my favorite film of all time...but I'm not.

December 31, 2005 Full Review Source: Supercala.com

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John Venable

Supercala.com

...not only insultingly stupid but weirdly dull.

August 8, 2002 Full Review | Comment

Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Ethan Steifel's unforgettable dancing seems to defy the laws of gravity -- and without computerized special effects.

August 2, 2002 Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews

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Betty Jo Tucker

ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Does one kid turn out to be bulimic? Does someone proclaim, "I'm not dancing for them anymore -- I'm dancing for myself"? You need not see "Center Stage" to correctly guess the answers to those questions.

June 23, 2002 Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette

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James Sanford

Kalamazoo Gazette

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Audience Reviews for Center Stage

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This was my sister's favorite movie for the longest time, so if it wasn't for her I probably would have never seen this movie. So with that said, it is engaging and a good storyline. Everything you would expect from a typical teen drama film though.

October 31, 2011

Eric Alvarez

Super Reviewer

I like that this dance movie boasts several full-length performances of imaginative pieces, not just heavily cut snippets. Amanda Schull is a bit dull as an actress, and how does Jody know that Cooper won't recant his offer if she doesn't sleep with him? Zoe Saldana is brassy and tough.

July 27, 2010

Alice Shen

Super Reviewer

Center Stage Quotes

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1. Eva Rodriguez: Congratulations. Cooper's ballet.
2. Erik: Yeah, kind of amazing.
3. Eva Rodriguez: It should be good.
4. Erik: I guess... Jody says he has theories about making ballet for the people. I do ballet because it has nothing to do with the people. Give me tiaras and boy in tights any day.
– Submitted by Olivia B (3 months ago)