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Center Stage

(2000, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Peter Gallagher, Zoe Saldana, Amanda Schull)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

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

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    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.
  • 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.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    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.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Center Stage

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.

Read our full review by Randy White

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Families Can Talk About

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

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative message

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    VERY GOOD

    first of all let me say, this movie is way more appropiate then "Fame" (which let me point out it rated PG and this movie is rated PG13). some sexual behavior but it doesnt show anything sensitive. some messages like a girl being anorexic are not positive. but the role models to work hard to be successful at what they love to do.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0

    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. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    best

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

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    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!

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 4.0

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