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Parents' Guide to

Center Stage

By Randy White, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

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

Movie PG-13 2000 114 minutes
Center Stage Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 1 parent review

Shann
Shann Adult
January 16, 2012
age 11+

Good movie, teenage girls will love

An enjoyable drama about a determined ballet-dancer. Most teenage girls will love it. I first watched it at school when I was eleven, then rewatched it again and again. Has a little sexual content, nothing too explicit, and deals with anorexia ultimately in a good, moral way.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

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?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (6 ):

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).

Talk to Your Kids About ...

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

Movie Details

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