# Center Stage (2000/I)

### reviewed by
Ross Anthony

    A 90210 ballet
    Center Stage

    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: http://RossAnthony.com

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