Written by: Susan Granger
http://www.susangranger.com

Every once in awhile a captivating movie comes along that makes you smile and laugh and cry - and if you liked "Mad Hot Ballroom," this is a must-see.

Although it's based on a real-life story, the concept begins with the Once Upon a Time premise that - after watching a young black thug vandalize a parked car - dapper,  internationally acclaimed ballroom dancer Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) approaches an inner-city high school principal (Alfre Woodard) volunteering to instruct the students. 

After years of coping with juvenile delinquents, she scoffs at the idea, sending him, instead, to monitor the "rejects" in detention. These are kids with low self-esteem, stemming from challenging home environments. Seizing that opportunity, Dulaine - who runs his own dancing studio and speaks five languages, all with a Spanish accent - inspires the rude, edgy, reluctant teens to blend Old World manners and traditions with an exuberant, contemporary, hip-hop beat, particularly after he brings in one of his sleek uptown students to "demonstrate" a tantalizing tango. 

"It's like sex on hardwood," one of the kids observes with awe. 

Because of Dulaine's persistence, more than 60 New York City schools now have dance programs that give 7,500 youngsters the opportunity to learn respect, teamwork and dignity, along with the fox-trot, waltz and tango.

Video director Liz Friedlander (Joss Stone, U2, Blink 182, Simple Plan) makes an impressive feature-film debut, backed by screenwriter Dianne Houston (who changed the setting from elementary to high school), cinematographer Alex Nepomniaschy and choreographers JoAnn Jansen, Rich and Tone Talauega. But it's charismatic Antonio Banderas ("Zorro") - recalling his mesmerizing "Mambo Kings" motion, plus a stint on Broadway with Chita Rivera in "Nine" - who shows exactly how smooth and seductive a Latin gentleman with all the right moves can be.

On the Granger Movie Gauge, "Take the Lead" is an irresistible 8. Get in line.