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Center Stage (2000)

tomatometer

43

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.

43

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.

audience

78

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

My Rating

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

Carol Heikkinen

May 8, 2001

Columbia Pictures

Cast

All Critics (96) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (34) | Rotten (46) | DVD (12)

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 | Comment
Variety
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The acting is wooden.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | Comment
San Francisco Chronicle
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Nicholas Hytner's movie might be subtitled Beverly Hills 90210 Goes to Juilliard.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Village Voice | Comment
Village Voice
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Center Stage is all dancing and hugging and no good.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post | Comment
Washington Post
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Both too high-minded and too low-minded.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | Comment
Sacramento Bee
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Fortunately, it also contains several more complex characters who manage to make the film a surprisingly engaging affair.

January 1, 2000 Comment
Chicago Tribune
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Melodramatic, a bit racy -- some teens will love.

January 2, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
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 | Comment
Supercala.com

...not only insultingly stupid but weirdly dull.

August 8, 2002 Full Review | Comment
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 | Comment
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 | Comment
Kalamazoo Gazette
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Center Stage

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
aliceinpunderland

Super Reviewer

    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)

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