Step Up (2006)
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A disadvantaged hip-hop dancer and a privileged ballet dancer must team up to perform in a high-stakes showcase.
The story
Set in Baltimore, Maryland, the film follows the tale of the disadvantaged Tyler Gage and the privileged modern dancer Nora Clark, who find themselves paired up in a showcase that determines both of their futures. After Tyler is sentenced to community service at the Maryland School of the Arts for vandalism, he begins working as a custodian. While there, he observes Nora's dance class. When Nora's dance partner is injured and she is left without a partner for her senior showcase, Tyler offers to help. Despite initial hesitation, Nora eventually agrees to let him rehearse with her, leading to a collaborative journey where they must learn from each other's styles.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Tyler Gage, a hip-hop dancer, is sentenced to community service at the Maryland School of the Arts after trashing the theatre with friends. While working as a custodian, he watches Nora Clark, a ballet dancer, prepare for her senior showcase. When Nora's partner is injured, Tyler offers to help. They begin rehearsing together, initially clashing but eventually growing closer. Tyler also befriends Miles, a DJ. Nora takes Tyler to a waterfront spot and they decide to recruit younger dancers to create an ensemble piece. Meanwhile, Nora breaks up with her boyfriend Brett after he betrays Miles. Tyler struggles to balance his new goals with his old friends. After a falling out with Nora due to a misunderstanding about her intentions, Tyler returns to his janitorial work. However, Nora's mother encourages her to rewrite the choreography as a solo/ensemble piece. After a tragic accident where Tyler's friend Skinny is fatally shot, Tyler returns to the school. He joins Nora at the last minute for the showcase. The ensemble performs a successful routine to Miles' music. Nora is offered a professional position, and Tyler is introduced as a transfer student, ending with the two sharing a kiss.
- First release year
- 2006
- Runtime (minutes)
- 103
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Anne Fletcher
- Writers
- Duane Adler · screenplay; Melissa Rosenberg · screenplay; Duane Adler · story
- Cast and characters
- Channing Tatum · Tyler Gage; Jenna Dewan · Nora Clark; Mario Barrett · Miles Darby; Drew Sidora · Lucille "Lucy" Avila; Rachel Griffiths · Director Gordon; Damaine Radcliff · Marcus "Mac" Carter; De'Shawn Washington · Skinny Carter; Alyson Stoner · Camille
- Genres
- teen dance drama; romantic drama; musical; comedy
- Themes
- collaboration; social class; ambition; artistic expression
- Tone and mood
- romantic; dramatic; inspirational
- Premise and plot tags
- dance; romance; teen; underdog
- Franchise connections
- Step Up (film series)
- Reception
- The film received generally negative reviews from critics but was a box office success, earning $114 million against a $12 million budget. It received a grade of A- from CinemaScore audiences.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 21% · review count: 108; Metacritic · score: 48 · scale: 100 · review count: 23
- Production trivia
- Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan began dating while filming and married in 2009.; The film was released on DVD on December 19, 2006.; The soundtrack features a title track performed by Samantha Jade.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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