Here is the plot summary
In New York, the polite dance instructor Pierre Dulaine sees a black teenager vandalizing the car of the director of a public school and on the next day he volunteers to teach dance to students to give respect, dignity, self-confidence, trust and teamwork. The reluctant director Augustine James offers the troublemakers that are in detention expecting Pierre to give-up of his intentions. Pierre struggles against the prejudice and ignorance of the students, parents and other teachers, but wins his battle when the group accepts to compete in a ballroom dance contest. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A former professional dancer (Banderas) volunteers to teach dance in the New York public school system. While his background first clashes with his students' tastes, together they create a completely new style of dance. Based on the story of ballroom dancer Pierre Dulane. Written by Anonymous
Based on a true story, the movie tells of the struggle of a dance teacher, Pierre Dulain (Antonio Banderas), to give to a group of problem kids a second chance by exploring their dance skills. One night Dulain is astonished to see a boy, Rock (Rob Brown) destroying his school director's car. The following day Dulaine goes to the school to ask for a job as a dance teacher. The director has little confidence in Dulaine's idea of helping kids (including Rock) in detention to reform through ballroom dance classes. Even the kids, who prefer hip-hop or rap, think it isn't a great idea. Despite criticism from students in his formal dance academy as well as from parents and fellow teachers who believe that the kids need more math and less dance, Dulain catches the students' attention with a tango session. After their initial indifference, they eventually compete in a dance contest; the important thing isn't winning, but making a difference. Written by Alejandro Frias
- Antonio Banderas - Pierre Dulaine
- Rob Brown - Rock: The brother of a teenager who died because of drugs, he has a longstanding feud with LaRhettee, whose brother was allegedly the drug dealer. He lives in a poor neighborhood and supports*his family. His father has been drunk since Rock's brother died and is violent. Rock wants nothing more than to own his own, "clean" place one day and to be nothing like his father. Despite this loathing, he still feels a duty towards his family and slips money through the door even when his father kicks him out.
- Yaya DaCosta - LaRhettee: Sassy and aggressive, she's shown to be both fierce and nurturing. Since her mother works as a prostitute, she takes care of her younger siblings, cooking for them and helping her younger brother with his homework. Despite knowing her mother's profession, she is fiercely protective of her and refuses to let anyone blacken her name.
- Alfre Woodard - Principal Augustine James: No-nonsense and jaded, this woman is tough, hardened, and supremely dedicated to doing whatever she can to keep her school as safe as possible. She's shown to be an amazing and effective principal, balancing situations and knowing the name of almost every student, as well as their histories. She thinks of Pierre as an idealistic dreamer at first, but grows to respect him and his class.
- John Ortiz - Mr. Temple: A teacher who cares about academics and academics only, he believes that the school should focus more on students who actually deserve help than to spend extra time with the delinquents. Despite proclaiming the Pierre's dance classes are taking up time that the delinquent students should be spending studying, he was the one who refused to supervise detention the day that Pierre was hired. He later gathers a petition and attempts to have Pierre's classes terminated, but is overruled when Pierre proves the value of his classes.
- Laura Benanti - Tina
- Jasika Nicole - Egypt
- Dante Basco - Ramos: Proud, cocky, and an obvious leader, he is openly flirtatious and a good dancer. He obviously wants Sasha, which leads to him constantly goading Danjou and making sexual comments to Sasha.
- Elijah Kelley - Danjou: A quieter, less cocky young man, he has trouble dancing and is less aggressive than Ramos. He holds all his frustration inside, which finally*explodes after Ramos makes one comment too many, which leads to a fistfight between the two.
- Jenna Dewan - Sasha: Sasha is pretty and a talented dancer who's caught in a love triangle with Danjou and Ramos. She repeatedly stands up for Danjou when Ramos mocks his lack of dancing skills and is obviously frustrated by the immature sniping between the two.
- Brandon D. Andrews - Monster: A large, overweight boy with a heart as soft as a teddy bear, Monster is self-conscious but sweet. He becomes a very close friend to Caitlyn and doesn't hesitate to separate Ramos and Danjou after they start fighting.
- Lauren Collins - Caitlin: Awkward and clumsy, she nevertheless loves to dance, though she feels out of place with Morgan and the other "better" dancers. She feels pressured by her mother and father, as well as their expectations of her.
- Marcus T. Paulk - Eddie: A childish young man who is allegedly a thief, like with the new stereo system in detention. He can D.J. and when the competition was over he snuck over to the stereo and turned on rap music, which everyone danced to. He danced with Egypt in the competition.
- Katya Virshilas - Morgan: An extremely talented dancer who moves both gracefully and sensually, she is arrogant and rude to the delinquent kids, whom she dismisses as "nobodies with no talent."
- Jonathan Malen - Kurd: A self-proclaimed "player," he is at first disappointed with Pierre's choice to pair him with Big Girl, but gradually falls in love with her.
- Shawand McKenzie - Big Girl: Monster's cousin, she is at first openly disgusted by Kurd's blatant sexual behavior, going so far as to wear gloves when she is forced to dance with him.
Track
Track listing
No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "I Got Rhythm" | Lena Horne & Q-Tip | |
2. | "Take The Lead (Wanna Ride)" (feat. Wisin & Yandel, Fatman Scoop & Melissa Jiménez) | Bone Thugs-n-Harmony | |
3. | "Feel It" | The Black Eyed Peas | |
4. | "I Like That (Stop)" | Jae Millz | |
5. | "These Days" | Rhymefest | |
6. | "Here We Go" | Dirtbag | |
7. | "Whuteva" | Remy Ma | |
8. | "Ya Ya" | The Empty Heads | |
9. | "Never Gonna Get It" (feat. Topic & Akon) | Sean Biggs | |
10. | "I Like That You Can't Take That Away From Me" | Jae Millz, June Christy, Eric B. & Rakim & Mashonda | |
11. | "Fascination" | Kem | |
12. | "Qué Será, Será (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) Bonus Track" | Sly & The Family Stone |