Leading Ladies

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.

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.

I researched as much as I could about the making of this film before I watched it. It's intent to be available for young women who are questioning their orientation deserves 10 stars. As well as the acting, characters, dancing, and dialog.

All main characters are over 20, no drugs, drinking, explicit sex, or profanity makes this a classic.

As often noted in lesbian literature and magazines (e.g,Curve), there is little to nothing produced for the "big screen" that addresses what Leading Ladies does so elegantly and whimsically.

I am no longer a young woman, but I cannot stop enjoying this film. As a professional who practices psychotherapy, Theam Bheam and actors displayed what the joys and risks are of coming out to oneself and others. Thank you!

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.

I don't understand why these type of movies get made. What type? The ones with bad writing and bad direction.

The concept was a great one but it was so poorly executed that it did more against the cause it was trying to give awareness to.

Nobody in this movie was likable.

The only reason I watched to the end was because I kept thinking of all the people who'd spend time on this movie and wanted to respect that... but this movie should never have been made.

One thing I will say in it's favour though was that the music was fantastic... But please, don't waste your time or your brain cells watching this movie that is NOT funny, and NOT quirky. a high school drama production could have done better.