Center Stage proves that it's hard to make a bad dance movie.
Center Stage (2000)
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Reviews Counted:79
Fresh:33
Rotten:46
Average Rating:5/10
Consensus: 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.
Runtime: 1 hr 56 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: All Jody Sawyer (Amanda Schull) has ever wanted is to be a ballerina in the American Ballet Company. Her dream begins to come true when she's accepted to the company's Academy in New York City. ... All Jody Sawyer (Amanda Schull) has ever wanted is to be a ballerina in the American Ballet Company. Her dream begins to come true when she's accepted to the company's Academy in New York City. Along with street-smart Eva (Zoë Saldana), veteran student Maureen (Susan May Pratt), sensitive Charlie (Sascha Radetsky), and flamboyant Erik (Shakiem Evans), Jody embarks on the stringent Academy training program with the hope of being one of the select few chosen for the Company. But Jody has her own style and has to contend with criticism that she doesn't have good feet and her body type is wrong. In the meantime, she finds herself involved with Cooper (Ethan Stiefel), a talented Harley-riding dancer and choreographer. The masterful dance sequences in Nicholas Hytner's CENTER STAGE are enriched by the performances of real-life American Ballet Theatre star Stiefel, and those of Schull, who was an apprentice at the San Francisco Ballet when she was cast. Peter Gallagher stars as the head of the ballet company, Donna Murphy is featured as an instructor at the academy, and Debra Monk portrays an overbearing mother to Maureen (Susan May Pratt), the best ballerina in the class who is also harboring a dark secret. [More]
Starring: Amanda Schull, Peter Gallagher, Debra Monk, Donna Murphy
Starring: Amanda Schull, Peter Gallagher, Debra Monk, Donna Murphy, Susan May Pratt, Eion Bailey, Shakiem Evans, Ilia Kulik, Sascha Radetsky, Zoe Saldana, Ethan Stiefel
Director: Nicholas Hytner
Director: Nicholas Hytner
Screenwriter: Carol Heikkinen
Producer: Laurence Mark
Composer: George Fenton
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Reviews for Center Stage
[Hytner's] widescreen direction of the many dance sequences has a snap to it the likes of which hasn't been seen in studio musical filmmaking for years.
The dance routines truly are wonderful. Only thing is, you have to sit through a so-so storyline and sappy plot to get there.
The plot, like the ballerinas, is wafer-thin, but the dancing is impressive, and you'll find yourself rooting for the dancers' success.
This one is your basic collection of aspiring trainee cliches -- think Fame with a dumber plot and prettier dancing.
The inspiring central plot still works, the actors are refreshing and the dance is great to watch, making Center Stage a worthwhile experience.
In terms of story and characters, this film pirouettes into the orchestra pit.
Unfortunately, in between the dance sequences, the actors are allowed to talk. This is a problem.
What a joy to see a young woman say 'no' to sexual advances, even from a former lover, while maintaining a sense of power and purpose.
Not since The Turning Point has a dance movie done so many cinematic pirouettes with such a graceful sense of audience-pleasing fun.
The aim of the film was to be entertaining, the art part it dumbed down for mass consumption.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
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