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'Take the Lead': Banderas glides through predictable plot
by Eleanor Ringel Gillespie

It's almost a rule of thumb in Hollywood. If you're an actor at loose ends — career's not in the toilet, but your previous film's opening weekend was a little, well, soft — best look for a movie about an inspirational teacher. Michelle Pfeiffer in "Dangerous Minds." Richard Dreyfuss in "Mr. Holland's Opus." Robin Williams in "Dead Poets Society." Now it's Antonio Banderas' turn. Read the full review

TO SUM UP
A former professional ballroom dancer volunteers to teach dance at a New York public school. The hip-hop instincts of his students soon clash with his ballroom methods, so he teams up with them to create a new style of dance.

FILM FACTS ...

New Line Cinema

'Take the Lead'

Director: Liz Friedlander
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Rob Brown, Yaya DaCosta, Dante Basco, John Ortiz
Run time: 108 minutes
Release date: April 7, 2006
Rating: PG-13 for thematic material, language and some violence.
See showtimes

On the web
Official movie site
View the trailer
Trailers require Quicktime

READ THE REVIEW

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: C+
"Yes, it's redemption by rhumba, but Banderas pretty much pulls it off. He invests the role with his considerable charm and smooth dance moves."

Read the full review

The Palm Beach Post: C+
"Banderas has the right blend of sex appeal and self-effacing charm as Dulaine and he sure can do a mean tango. The dance scenes are uniformly appealing..."