Take The: Lead

While " Take the Lead " (2006) follows a familiar "teacher-saves-troubled-youth" formula, reviewers often find its unique charm in the clashing and blending of disparate worlds.

If you find the 2006 film's Hollywood "sanitization" a bit much, several reviewers suggest watching the 2004 documentary "Mad Hot Ballroom" , which inspired the movie and is often cited as having richer, more authentic characters. "Take the Lead" Review - The Independent Critic

: Some reviewers at PopMatters critiqued the film for glossing over the actual reasons students were in detention, calling it a "heartening fable" rather than a realistic plan of action.