I’ve recently found myself deeply engrossed in Zoe Saldaña’s latest masterpiece, “Emilia Perez”. This innovative musical crime film has garnered 13 Academy Award nominations, showcasing its groundbreaking nature. While it may be as unique as it is divisive, “Emilia Perez” serves as a testament to Zoe Saldaña’s rich history in movies that blend music and dance.
One of the most overlooked gems from 2000, “Center Stage“, was another example of her versatility. This film, featuring a talented ensemble of dancers, including Zoe Saldaña, was a fierce competition for coveted positions at the American Ballet Academy. In her breakthrough role, she portrayed Eva Rodriguez, a naturally gifted ballet dancer with an attitude to match.
Supporters of Saldaña and Emilia Perez will find Center Stage just as engaging and enjoyable. Saldaña maintains her feisty charm and displays her versatile acting skills in Center Stage, making it an essential watch for those seeking a nostalgic classic.
Zoe Saldaña Credits ‘Center Stage’ as a Pivotal Movie in Her Transition From Dancing to Acting
In November 2024, Zoe Saldaña discussed the film “Center Stage” on “The View,” reminiscing about her fondness for it. She told the show’s hosts, “The movie was all about ballet, which played a significant role in my life… However, I had to shift into different artistic avenues. I believe that ‘Center Stage’ helped me confirm this transition.
At the time when Amanda Schull (Jody Sawyer) starred in ‘Center Stage’, she was still a student at the San Francisco Ballet School. Notably, Saldaña’s previous dance training was evident.
Zoe Saldana, the actress who plays Eva, has dance experience, and her posture during dancing is truly remarkable. Nevertheless, she and Susan May Pratt, who portrays Maureen, humbly welcomed advice from the other dancers in the cast while filming the dance scenes to ensure they were as authentic as possible. The aim was to depict it truthfully, rather than a typical Hollywood rendition of ballet.
Saldaña realized after a decade of dancing that her feet weren’t suitable for a professional career. Instead, she transitioned into acting, joining the Faces theater group in Brooklyn where they performed plays centered around teen issues. In 1999, she made her debut on Law and Order, followed by a role in Center Stage in 2000.
Zoe Saldaña Brought Both Attitude and Heart to Center Stage
In the opening scene of Center Stage, tryouts for the American Ballet Academy are in progress. Jody Sawyer (Amanda Schull), Eva Rodriguez (Saldaña), and others exhibit their abilities before Jonathan Reeves (Peter Gallagher) and other judges to secure a spot at this prestigious institution. Once they’re accepted, Jody, Eva, and fellow dancer Maureen Cummings (Susan May Pratt) share living quarters, attend classes, rehearse, and perform all while chasing their ballet dreams.
Eva frequently challenges most guidelines and limitations set by the American Ballet Academy, but her exceptional dance skills earn her admiration from many peers. However, her less-than-ideal attitude clashes with Jody’s unwavering dedication to enhance despite weak feet and a lack of polished technique.
Time and again, it’s evident that Eva doesn’t seem to mind the result of her time at the American Ballet Academy. However, when she lands a spot in the ensemble for the student showcase, her discontent becomes noticeable. In a surprising turn of events, Eva eventually performs the lead role in a ballet choreographed by none other than the school’s director, Jonathan Reeves – leaving everyone awestruck with her performance.
Saldaña’s acting in the movie “Center Stage” drew attention to her in Hollywood. After that, she took on roles in “Get Over It” (2001), “Crossroads,” and “Drumline” (2002), as well as “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” (2003).
The Music, Performances, and Dancing in ‘Center Stage’ Continue to Delight Viewers
The soundtrack for the film Center Stage includes “I Wanna Be with You,” Mandy Moore’s 2000 hit, along with tracks by Jamiroquai, Michael Jackson, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. This musical lineup not only evokes a sense of nostalgia for the turn of the millennium but also provides a catchy soundtrack. As a result, David Lyman from the American Ballet Theater stated in 2020 that “Center Stage” is a classic film with near-cult status, characterized by teenage emotions, romance, an eating disorder, a strong-willed personality, and youthful defiance.
Initially, not everyone was thrilled with the release of “Center Stage,” but Roger Ebert awarded it three stars. In his assessment, he appreciated that the film embodied the charm of a musical, featuring impressive finale ballet numbers skillfully choreographed and performed. Regarding Zoe Saldaña’s character, Eva Rodriguez, Ebert pointed out that she was an effective illustration of how “Center Stage” managed to avoid excessive melodrama in its narrative.
Eva tends to arrive late at practices and sometimes displays an unfavorable demeanor, but what makes her unique is that she possesses the most genuine passion for dance among us. Her motivation isn’t driven by ambition or obligation, rather it stems from her deep-rooted love for the art form.
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2025-02-16 02:04