April 24, 2007
I mentioned awhile back that I'm so very into the ballroom dancing idea. I wish someone would open a dance club for ballroom dancing here in my area–I'd drag my Music Man, even though he doesn't quite lead the way I wish he would.
(Hmm. Now there's a telling statement about how much of a control freak I am.)
So, since I had my little ballroom dancing experience, I've been interested in seeing a few of the recent movies that have come out, and the first one I watched was the ever-hot Antonio Banderas in Take the Lead.
The premise of the movie is that Banderas, playing the real-life Pierre Dulaine, volunteers to teach the detention class of an inner city high school how to ballroom dance.
As you can imagine, this doesn't go over very well with
the hard-asses who are relegated to detention for the rest of the year. Or are they? Hard-asses?
They all have their own stories, and we really only get a glimpse of two or three of them…but of those, the stories are sad and frightening and pretty much what one would expect from this setting.
The movie isn't sickly sweet, either. It takes its time, especially at the beginning over the credits, but it works. It doesn't wrap everything up neatly either, which I like. In other words, it's not "and they lived happily ever after…" but more of "and they had a different outlook on life and learned something."
During one scene, Banderas/Dulaine is called into a meeting with the principal and a teacher, and the parent association. They want him to stop wasting his time teaching their children the "box step" when they should be learning math and reading.
Dulaine's explanation is the crux of the movie, the whole theme, and I loved it. He says, (I'm paraphrasing here): "By teaching your daughters to allow the boys to lead, they learn to trust them, as well as trust themselves. It gives them confidence and assurance. Do you think a girl who has learned that is going to allow a boy to knock her up?
"And it teaches the young men how to treat a woman with respect. If he learns this, how do you think he will treat women all his life?"
Loved it.
I really enjoyed the movie and definitely recommend it for its thought-provoking theme, as well as some fabulous dancing. My ten year old daughter absolutely loved it too.
I'm also interested in seeing Step Up–anyone know anything about that?
I'm planning on seeing Strictly Ballroom again soon (I think my daughter would enjoy that too).
The second installment of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles takes Victoria to Venice and Rome.
My novel, 
April 24th, 2007 at 8:33 am
Oh colleen Strictly Ballroom is such an awesome movie! I loved that one too. I still have to rent Step Up though, can’t help you there
April 24th, 2007 at 8:53 am
I’m not normally into dance moview but I love this one! Antonio is so sexy in this movie with the way he treats people. I just love it!
April 24th, 2007 at 9:40 am
After this review I will be adding this to the Netflix list. Sounds like my girls will love it. We just watched Freedom Writers w. the kids (14,11,11) and we all loved that movie.
April 24th, 2007 at 10:02 am
I felt the same way about Coach Carter. It’s not a “happily ever after” ending, but it’s realistic and hopeful.
April 24th, 2007 at 10:26 am
I was wondering how this was as I don’t know anyone who saw it.
Strictly Ballroom is great and I want to get it sometime to watch with my daugther as Mary and I loved it.
Have you seen Mad Hot Ballroom? Such a wonderful film.
April 24th, 2007 at 11:18 am
We just rented this movie recently too and loved it.
April 24th, 2007 at 11:39 am
I would like to see this one too. I love those ballroom dances! Here was recently a show on television, called ‘Sterren op de dansvloer’. Loved it! I watched it every week…
April 24th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
I’ll have to check it out! I’ve been meaning to watch that movie anyway. Love Antonio! =)
April 24th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Nancy, my daughter has been asking to see Freedom Writers, and I’m glad you mentioned it. She’s almost 11, and I was wondering if it was appropriate for her–but it sounds like it is. Thanks!
Carl, I haven’t seen Mad Hot Ballroom…sounds like one to put on my list too.
Antonio is wonderful in the movie. He plays his role so gently and easily–very confident in himself. There’s no real romance subplot with him, either–as one mine expect with him as the lead–just a little subtle one that’s addressed in about two lines.
In other words, it’s not Antonio being hot. (Even though he is!) It’s a great movie.
Oh, and Hook fans will recognize one of the dance students as one of the Lost Boys (can’t remember his name–the one who challenges Peter when he comes back to Neverland).
April 24th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
You would definitely LOVE Mad Hot Ballroom. Here’s my review:
http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/?p=192
It is a very endearing film showcasing a wonderful school program in NYC.
April 26th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
I liked this movie, LOVED Strictly Ballroom and liked Step Up. It wasn’t GREAT, but the dance scenes were wonderful.
April 30th, 2007 at 2:47 am
I really like that movie. I wasn’t expecting anything that good when I watched it and it was surprising. Antonio Banderas is sexy as usual and those dances… The best one is the Tango in trio XD
I know the movie was not about Antonio being hot, lol, but he can’t help it XD