Pacionsbo
Absolutely Fantastic
Kirandeep Yoder
The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.
Fatma Suarez
The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
Zandra
The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.
dan-1462
I saw Leading Ladies during its opening weekend in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois- the city where it was filmed. The theater was packed, old and young, women and men, straight and gay and they all loved it.The dancing was breathtaking at times and just plain fun. Where else could you see a ballet, break dancing, and a mambo all in one number and in a grocery store to boot? The acting was a bit uneven at times, but when it all came together, the scenes were great.I would love to see what the directors could have done with a real budget. It's amazing they were able create a full blown musical with only $200,000.
Edward Fry
I saw this movie at a screening and was not only thoroughly entertained, but was very moved as well. Often in "dance themed" films, the script will suffer for the choreography, however, in Leading Ladies, the dialog moves just as fast and sensuously as the supermarket mambos. Every line and dance move lends to the narrative and the exceptional, "So You Think You Can Dance" cast is well choreographed. Another thing that is compelling is the soundtrack that drives the story instead of playing against it. As first time writers/producers/directors this is a home run for Team Beahm. "Leading Ladies" is a true independent film that sets a new standard for what can be done with a whole lot of love and exceptional creativity collide!
katy-mckenzie
I saw this movie at a film festival earlier this year and am so excited that it is available to the general public now! It is a really great film about love and family, with such fantastic music and lots of spectacular dancing!It is such a sweet and heartwarming story and everyone should see it. It made me laugh and cry but ultimately I left the theater with the feeling that it is love that should lead the way in my life. The cast is wonderfully fresh and talented. Dancers from "So You Think You Can Dance" show their talent and that, combined with the GREAT soundtrack, make you want to get up and dance yourself.
Red-125
Leading Ladies (2010/I) was directed by Daniel Beahm and Erika Randall Beahm. (Erika Randall Beahm was also one of the writers.) This is a movie where suspending disbelief is essential. The basic plot revolves around two sisters who have a parasitic relationship. Tasi Campari (Sharon Lea Smith) is the spoiled, dependent competitive dancer (the vine) who clings to her sister, Toni Campari (Laurel Vail). Toni is the unattractive, supportive, and nourishing sister (the tree). Their mother Sheri Campari (Melanie LaPatin) loves them so much that she is driving them crazy. (Anyway, that's the explanation given for her over-the-top behavior.) There's also a gay friend, Cedric (Benji Schwimmer) and Toni's new lesbian friend, Mona, played by Nicole Dionne.To enjoy this movie you need to suspend disbelief because each character is really a caricature. They are entertaining, but one-dimensional. Also, the "plain" sister--Toni--is played by the very beautiful actor Laurel Vail. It's a losing battle for the makeup artist to try to make her look unattractive and dowdy. (Think about the lovely Betsy Blair in Marty.) What's real about the movie is the dancing, which is excellent. Benji Schimmer is already renowned for his skill, and it's easy to see why. The young women are talented, and the production dance numbers really work. My suggestion is to see the film, enjoy the dancing, and don't take any of it too seriously. We saw the movie on the large screen at the Dryden Theatre as part of the very successful ImageOut Rochester Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. It will work on the small screen, but the dance numbers won't be as effective.