Center Stage
Metascore
52 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 33 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 33
  3. Negative: 4 out of 33
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  1. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Joanne Spataro
    38
    Despite the fun dancing, sidestep Center Stage.
  2. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    30
    All dancing and hugging and no good.
  3. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marjorie Baumgarten
    20
    Unlikely to receive many curtain calls.
  4. TNT RoughCut
    Reviewed by: Staff
    0
    While movie reviewers like to throw around the line, "This is the worst movie I've ever seen," this movie may be the worst movie I've ever seen.
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User Reviews

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User Score
9.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. AnnaS.
    6
    The acting is terrible, the choreography only shines in short slips of Ballanchine or MacMillan, and the cinematography during the dance sequences frequently cuts annoyingly away to reaction shots of the (wooden) actors watching in the wings or the lobby. Nonetheless, the film is well worth watching for one reason, and his name is Ethan Stiefel. Widely regarded as one of the world's foremost technical artists when the film was shot, his dancing is outstanding. He steals every scene in which he appears. Fellow American Ballet Theatre alum Sasha Radetsky, playing a romantic rival, also acquits himself well onstage. Curiously, the female lead dancer is far less technically skilled than the two leading men, which lends the film an odd dynamic. In a picture where so much character exposition relies on dance, it's strange to have two men so blatently steal a number that's supposed to be about female empowerment. The too-brief appearances by Julie Kent (an ABT principal) are the only time that a fellow dancer can keep up with Stiefel, but those scenes are well worth watching. One wishes that Kent had played the female star of the film instead of the utterly unremarkable Amanda Schull, just so that we might see more of the snarky, graceful sense of humor that she brings to her small role.… Full Review »
  2. EmilyB.
    10
    Fabulous from start to finish!
  3. MollyC.
    10
    This is my favorite movie. I've watched it 7 times already this week!
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