A 90210 ballet
Center Stage
Review by Ross Anthony

If you like campy dance movies, this one won't let you down. One "free" screener commented, "If I paid money for it, I wouldn't have been disappointed." This reviewer, expecting a wince-able display, admittedly winced only a couple of times. Another viewer/dance major said something like this, "Great dancing ... err ah, ... dancers aren't good actors though."

"Center Stage" is what you'd expect it to be - even a little more. Though it has its fair share of stale acting, more than half of the principals do pull their own weight. In fact, Susan May Pratt (Maureen) taps down a strong performance as the prissy perfect ballerina soon to learn a lesson on self. A scene with her domineering mom in the middle of the film is perfectly written, directed and acted.

We follow a group of choice young ballet talent through soap, friendships, and a year of strict dance training at ABC (only the world's premiere studio). Which three will make it into the professional dance company? Campy and fun, un-glamorized dance sequences, light, well-paced.



  • Center Stage. Copyright © 2000.
  • Starring Amanda Schull, Zoe Saldana, Susan May Pratt, Peter Gallagher, Donna Murphy, and Ethan Stiefel.
  • Directed by Nicholas Hytner.
  • Written by Carol Heikkinen.
  • Produced by Laurence Mark at Columbia Tristar.



Grade..........................B



Copyright © 2000. Ross Anthony, currently based in Los Angeles, has scripted and shot documentaries, music videos, and shorts in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more reviews visit: RossAnthony.com


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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 08:16:32 PDT