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.
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