Great
dance films are hard to come by these days. It seems that cheesy melodrama and
fluff always seem to get in the way. There have been hits like Dirty Dancing and
Footloose, but the last great dance film was probably Saturday Night Fever in
the 70's. Not only did that picture offer great dance sequences, it had a strong
story about youth and vibrantly captured the disco era. The new dance film Center
Stage is certainly best when it leaves the drama in the wings.
Taking
a cue from the much smarter Fame, Center Stage centers around a group of aspiring
Ballet students who learn about life and love, while attending a dance academy.
Center
Stage touches on just about every topic you'd expect jealousy, competition, parental
confrontations, and even eating disorders.
The
dialogue is obvious and the romance angles are all too familiar. What really works
in Center Stage is the insightful look at the tough and sometimes brutal world
of dance. Ballet isn't for wussies, these dancers are athletes and they put their
body through the ringer just as much, if not more, as any pro athlete might. Above
all, Center Stage has some truly dynamic dance sequences highlighted by a spectacular
number at the film's end. Beautifully choreographed, brimming with energy, and
fun to watch, it's almost worth the price of admission alone.
Although
Center Stage is glued together with predictable melodrama, it does have its moments,
and as a story about teen-angst, it sure beats She's All That and Varsity Blues.
