Center Stage (PG-13)

Melodramatic, a bit racy -- some teens will love.

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Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Columbia Tristar
  • Directed By: Nicholas Hytner
  • Cast: Peter Gallagher, Zoe Saldana, Amanda Schull
  • Running Time: 114 minutes
  • Release Date: 05/12/2000
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 10/24/2000
  • Genre: Drama
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • MPAA Explanation: language and some sensuality

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that one dancer collapses in tears from an injury. The movie depicts the intense pressure that women dancers are under to achieve an ideal body type; no mention is made of the similar pressures that afflict their male colleagues. One of the male dancers is gay. The star ballerina is under plenty of parental pressure and suffers from bulimia. The head of the ballet school married one of his students (despite a substantial age gap). One f-word and some mild bathroom and sexual language. Jodie and her under-age buddies go out drinking and end up with serious hangovers (a "problem" that's played for laughs). Many of the dancers smoke. Maureen's mom pushes her constantly to "be the best." Jodie has sex with the male star dancer, who sleeps around. A Russian student dances torridly with an older woman he picks up in a salsa club. An off-color joke about a mouse having its way with an elephant is lame and unnecessary. A sexual pas-de-deux involves some writhing around on a bed, and Jodi strips down to a costume that looks like a bra and panties.

Families can talk about the high-pressure life of a professional dancer.

Message

Social Behavior:

The movie depicts the intense pressure that women dancers are under to achieve an ideal body type; no mention is made of the similar pressures that afflict their male colleagues. One of the male dancers is gay. An off-color joke about a mouse having its way with an elephant is lame and unnecessary.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Jodie and her under-age buddies go out drinking and end up with serious hangovers (a "problem" that's played for laughs). Many of the dancers smoke.

Violence

One dancer collapses in tears from an injury.

Sex

Jodie has sex with the male star dancer, who sleeps around. A Russian student dances torridly with an older woman he picks up in a salsa club. A sexual pas-de-deux involves some writhing around on a bed, and Jodi strips down to a costume that looks like a bra and panties.

Language

One f-word and some mild bathroom and sexual language.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Randy White

A combination of high-stakes drama, sweet-natured characters, and bravado performances, CENTER STAGE follows a group of teen ballet dancers during their stressful tryouts for the prestigious American Ballet Academy. Along with great dancing, the film portrays an honest look at the less glamorous side of professional dance and follows the behind-the-scenes soap opera stories of the dancers. A number of the dancers can’t resist the city’s nightlife and are chastised for being hung over at an early morning rehearsal. Maureen deals with her pushy stage mother. Cooper (Ethan Stiefel), the bad boy, seduces Jody (Amanda Schull). During a dress rehearsal, male lead Erik collapses in pain from an injury and his career hangs in the balance. Several girls struggle with their body types and especially their weight -- one is banished from the program for her healthy appetite.

Is it any good?

3
Young dance fans looking for a movie to call their own need look no further. Center Stage features lots of cool jazz and modern moves, but it also provides beautiful footage of traditional (and not-so-traditional) ballet. Cast in its leading roles are some excellent dancers, particularly Ethan Stiefel as Cooper, whose performance in "Stars and Stripes Forever" is truly amazing.

Although the dancing looks more than impressive to any lay viewer, it must be said that the choreography will probably strike professional dancers as unoriginal, emphasizing showmanship over artistry (think Flashdance).

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 5 reviews.

5


Posted on 06/05/08 by babygurl150009 Kid contributor, age 16
3

Posted on 12/08/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Seriously

Could have gone without the elephant and mouse joke. Didn't make sense. And could have easily been toned down in a few other ways. But still a good movie. Entretainig if nothing else.
5

Posted on 09/14/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

best

its a great movie but not reccomended for people under 10.
4

Posted on 08/26/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

This movie made me want to become a ballet dancer!

This movie made me want to become a ballet dancer! There were two questionable sex scenes (one with Cooper Nielson, the choreographer, in his bedroom; the other on-stage). Just fast-forward to the next chapter and the only thing you'll miss is "that". I ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE TO TEENS AND ADULTS EVERYWHERE...YOU'LL FIND YOURSELF TRYING TO DO A TURNOUT OR A FANCY JUMP!
4

Posted on 03/31/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Adult Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

3

Posted on 12/08/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Seriously

Could have gone without the elephant and mouse joke. Didn't make sense. And could have easily been toned down in a few other ways. But still a good movie. Entretainig if nothing else.
4

Posted on 03/31/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Kids Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

5


Posted on 06/05/08 by babygurl150009 Kid contributor, age 16
5

Posted on 09/14/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

best

its a great movie but not reccomended for people under 10.
4

Posted on 08/26/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

This movie made me want to become a ballet dancer!

This movie made me want to become a ballet dancer! There were two questionable sex scenes (one with Cooper Nielson, the choreographer, in his bedroom; the other on-stage). Just fast-forward to the next chapter and the only thing you'll miss is "that". I ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE TO TEENS AND ADULTS EVERYWHERE...YOU'LL FIND YOURSELF TRYING TO DO A TURNOUT OR A FANCY JUMP!
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