Leading Ladies

The Camparis are a family of women. Sheri is a larger-than-life authoritarian mother, a former ballroom dancing champion who is now fulfilling her passion through her youngest daughter Tasi. Tasi is the darling of the local amateur ballroom circuit, pretty and spoilt, very attached to her older sister, Toni, who is rather plain and insecure. The only man in the Camparis' life is Cedric, Tasis' s gay dance partner and Toni's best friend. When Tasi announces that she is pregnant, her mother Shari decides to groom Toni to take her sister's place and win the coming ballroom competition. But Toni is changing, she has fallen in love with blonde dancer Moana. Maybe a new, and unconventional, girl-girl couple will make her accept the challenge. A totally female family portrait with one character discovering her homosexual identity: a musical comedy (and a successful debut too) somewhere between Dirty Dancing and Little Miss Sunshine, with a hint of Baz Luhrmann.

Directed by Daniel Beahm, Erika Randall Beahm, Leading Ladies leans on a strong ensemble — Melanie LaPatin, Laurel Vail, Benji Schwimmer — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 2010.