Educ elect

2. Short Summary of the Movie
based on a true story, Antonio Banderas plays Pierre
DuLaine, a Spanish-French New York City dance
instructor who gets the idea of teaching the aesthetics
of ballroom dancing to a group of problem detention
students in a tough inner-city Manhattan high school.
Mr. DuLaine serves up tough love to these at-risk kids
in hopes that as his old-world elegance teaches them not
only the tango and the fox-trot, but that they’ll
simultaneously learn discipline, honor and self-respect.
He dresses well, carries himself with grace and dignity,
treats everyone politely and steadfastly expects them to
return his courtesy.
By being so resplendent in his bearing and effect, he
generates camaraderie and respect. The kids follow him
because they would like to be that cool, and wind up
learning to, yes, even genuinely wanting to, improve
and reform.

3. This group of tough inner city kids in detention who will
be forced to partner up and boogie down, are the star-
crossed Rock (Rob Brown from “Finding Forrester”) and
LaRhette (Yaya DaCosta), each of whom blames the
other for their older brothers’ violent, untimely gang-
related deaths. Sasha (Jenna Dewan), who’s the
romantic target of both Ramos (Dante Basco) and
Danjou (Elijah Kelley) on and off the dance floor. There
is also the friendship between the very large, awkward
Monster (gentle-giant Brandon T. Andrews) and the very
petite, self-proclaimed ugly duckling Caitlin (Lauren
Collins), who practices for her upcoming cotillion with
Pierre’s inner city detention group because she feels more
comfortable with them than she does with those on the
Upper East Side. I particularly liked the line: “Do you
like to dance? Yes… Then you were made to dance.”
which Caitlin shares with the large and shy “Monster.”
It underscores that there are no losers and that we can
accomplish anything our hearts are in tune with. The
Lord has given each one of us a gift. We should not
squander it.

4. Everyone thinks Mr. DuLaine is crazy—
including the instructors at his high class dance
studio and the high school principal, Mrs.
James (Alfre Woodard, who nails her no-
nonsense roll). But he persists, gradually wins
the kids’ trust, and hooks them on the magic of
the tango and waltz. Pierre convinces these
kids, their teachers, and perhaps even us that
the dignity and chivalry of ballroom dancing
can co-exist in the same world with the
meanness and misogyny of hip-hop. Banderas
attacks this role with such conviction that he
elevates “Take The Lead” to exist slightly above
the ordinary dance movie.

5. Cast:
Antonio Banderas as Pierre Dulaine
Rob Brown as Rock
Yaya DaCosta as Larhette
Alfre Woodard as Augustine James
John Ortiz as Mr. Temple
Laura Benanti as Tina
Dante Basco as Ramos
Jenna Dewan as Sasha
Marcus T. Paulk as Eddie

6. Moral Issues of the movie
This was an enjoyable movie with a great moral
message. It motivate, Inspire, and Bring Out the
Best in Yourself and Everyone Around You.
This movie is worth its while because it shows that
there is hope for people who are in destructive
circumstances, and shows the results of making bad
decisions.
It is a lesson in morality and rising above one’s
circumstances.
This would be a good movie to see if you like to
dance or don’t think you can because anyone can
dance if they put their mind to it.

7. My Insights of the Movie
“Take The Lead” is a film, although easy to second
guess as it progresses, which in essence takes the
values of teamwork, respect, and dignity and puts a
young, modern face on them. Needing to look past the
predictable plot, viewers should grab hold of the core
story, and that is: no matter where you come from,
there are no rejects, only choices to be made, and these
choices are up to you.
So, what do King David and Pierre DuLaine have in
common? Each possess a love for people. A vision to
help them succeed through hard work, trust, respect,
reverence and honor. A sincere regard for human
weaknesses, and a devotion to guide people to help
them reach their full potential. and a love of the
dance.

8. The main story deals with a boy who has to decide whether he is going to forgive his
enemies, stay in school, and support his family or continue down the drug-dealing, gun
wielding path he is on. There is also a girl whose mother is a prostitute. (The fact is only
implied, never shown.) She also faces big decisions.
The story really brings you into the lives of the characters, and you find yourself caring
about the people. The guy who taught the students was very likeable, being a loving
person who had confidence in those others had rejected, and was willing to put time,
energy, and money into helping them. The plot seemed to me to be about people who tried
to be cool in their sub-culture because they felt inferior, and by showing confidence in
them, the teacher helped them develop skills that they didn’t think they could. Then they
realized that they had real value, and were on the same level as everyone else, and it was
all good. But it wasn’t just about the teacher reaching out to the kids, it was also about
hurting kids, who had a hard life deciding to trust someone: Value themselves, and try for
something they didn’t really think they could do. This movie, I thought, was very
thought-provoking, and showed a lot of Christian principles, like reaching out, love, trust
and diligence.

9. The magic of the dance and the life lessons learned by these inner city students both
profoundly affects their lives and inspire them to enter a prestigious city ballroom
competition.
This, of course, is where the tension rises. They must prove to themselves that they have
the courage to break out of their stereotypical gangbanger roles and learn to co-exist in a
world they have never ventured into. It takes trust, courage, determination and respect
to accomplish, and each knows they must depend on the other, rather than fight each
other off.
The end is predictable with the finale ballroom dance competition, but not everyone wins
on the dance floor alone. The winning goes much deeper than just learning the dance
moves and competing. It is a motivation of the heart and learning to trust through the
lesson of dance.
All in all, what is disturbing, may also be a road to family discussions about how we all
can be sensitive to the problems of others and do something about it in a Christ-like
manner. Included are many real life situations that we all encounter like gradual
building of trust, setbacks, growth experiences, the true role of man and woman,
tenderness and ways to help those around us, even when it seems they don’t want our
help.