Leading Ladies

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 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.

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 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!

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.