TrueHello Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

TaryBiggBall It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

Seraherrera The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

Brennan Camacho Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

Leslie G I just can't help but totally love this movie, and I've now watched it at least a dozen times. Yes, it's full of one dimensional campy caricatures, the plot is contrived at times, and the dialog could be better, but honestly, seriously, sometimes you just have to let go of the need for every movie to be "serious acting" and just sit back and let a movie be FUN. I mean, come ON, so many of the old classic movie musicals are campy, one-dimensional caricatures, but the dancing! the fun! the romance! the story! You can't tell me that this is any more of those supposedly negative things than most of Gene Kelly's or Fred Astaire's movies -- even "Singing in the Rain" or "Holiday Inn" could be described that way, but who would because they're just so much fun.And I loved every single one of the main characters: I loved seeing Benji Schwimmer really being able to bring out all that we loved about his performance ability and really seem to have genuine fun with it. Shannon Smith did a delightful take on the spoiled but deeply loving "talented" sister. Nicole Dionne was perfect for her role of the girlfriend, and I thought her acting during the argument scene was the best in the film. Laurel Vail was just perfect as the quirky quiet sister who needed to come out of her shell. And no one could have played the character of Sheri better than the amazing Melanie LaPatin, who I have adored since she was first a competitive ballroom dancer - who could NOT notice her? Just watch it, OK? Set aside all your nonsense about having to watch "good" movies and just watch it and enjoy a darn fine job for such a tiny-budget movie. The two big dance numbers are some of the best that have made it into any dance-related movies in decades, including some of the mega-budget musicals. If you enjoy dance at all, you're going to want to watch both of them over and over again - and while you're at it, you may just want to watch the whole movie again, because somewhere along the line you managed to suspend reality and just sit back and let this movie make you smile - again and again.

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!

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.