Dianne Houston Movies

A teacher and his students open up new worlds for one another in this urban drama inspired by a true story. Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) is a prize-winning ballroom dancer and instructor from Manhattan who volunteers his services to a high school in one of the roughest neighborhoods in the Bronx. Principal Augustine James (Alfre Woodard) in turn gives Dulaine a tough assignment -- a detention class with some of the biggest troublemakers on campus. When the kids learn that Dulaine intends to teach them how to dance in the classic style, they're incredulous at best and dismissive at worst -- until Dulaine demonstrates his moves for the class. While Dulaine's charges -- including Rock (Rob Brown), LaRhette (Yaya DaCosta), Ramos (Dante Basco), Eddie (Marcus T. Paulk), and Sasha (Jenna Dewan) -- respect his talent, they have their own way of dancing, and as they mix hip-hop moves with ballroom discipline, they create an exciting new style. Dulaine also strives to instill self-confidence and a work ethic in his kids, insisting they can make their way out of the ghetto if they're willing to try. Screenwriter Dianne Houston based Take the Lead on the real-life story of Pierre Dulaine, who taught dance as a volunteer to at-risk students at New York elementary schools. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Having suffered mightily from the obsessive jealousy of her husband, Don Harrison (Stan Cahill), Rita Ortiz (Jacqueline Obradors) finds out that Don has been cheating on her. Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) takes time off to nail the crooked business manager (John Vickery) of dear old Mrs. Hornby (Elmarie Wendel). Several witnesses to a homicide seem to be willing to harm themselves rather than testify against a much-feared gang leader. And Valerie (Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon) upsets both Greg Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) and Baldwin Jones (Henry Simmons) when she announces her pregnancy and takes a leave of absence. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi