The acting isn't great in this film, we'll be totally upfront about that. But you want to know why? Because the film is populated almost exclusively with professional dancers. Center Stage assembled an impressive group of ballet dancers from the American Ballet Theater, Olympic ice skaters (Russian gold medalist Ilia Kulik played the adorable Sergei), as well as several actors with significant dance experience, including Zoe Saldana and Shakiem Evans. (Ironically, Susan May Pratt, who plays the most advanced dancer at the American Ballet Academy, is the only actor with no formal dance training.) The result is a film with a paper thin plot and dubious performances, but absolutely fantastic dance sequences. Few films are capable of depicting the real ballet world, warts and all, but Center Stage manages. It revolves around the journey of a girl accepted into the most prestigious ballet school in the country, and is determined to make it into the company despite her lack of perfect form. More than anything else, it showcases everything that ballerinas are willing to put themselves through to succeed, and for that reason, many dancers have a soft spot in their heart for Center Stage.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
