John Clark (Gere) has a good life: a loving family and a decent job, but he isn't happy. Life is monotonous and his wife, Beverly (Sarandon), and children are busy. While riding the train home, he notices a rundown dance studio with a beautiful woman in the staring out the window. Intrigued, he gets the courage to enter the studio and joins the beginner dance class with the owner, Miss Mitzi (Gillette).
The beginner class consists of three men: Chic (Cannavale) who wants to meet women and Vern (Miller) who wants to lose weight. Also at the studio are diva dancer Bobbie (Walter) and the lonely woman that caught John's eye, dance instructor Pauline (Lopez). As John gets comfortable dancing and begins the enjoy the experience, his life changes. Soon Beverly and their children are noticing a change. With an amateur dance competition rapidly approaching, can John continue to hide his secret from his family and co-workers?
I have to admit, I enjoy watching dancing and dancing movies... Yes, dancing movies don't tend to have great stories or acting, but the dancing just blows you away. My mom enjoyed this film, and suggested it for our Girls Night, and I was pleasantly surprised.
I have not seen the original Japanese version of this film (released in 1996), but it looks like a sweet, interesting film. And based on discussion boards for both films, seeing the 1996 version makes this film seem dull and uninspired.
Boasting an impressive cast (watch the dancers for brief appearances by Dancing with the Stars pros Karina and Tony), this film is funny and mindless... not the greatest dancing movie ever, but it works. Don't expect too much.
Shall We Dance? (2004) 106 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for some sexual references and brief language.
Director: Peter Chelsom
Starring: Richard Gere as John Clark
Jennifer Lopez as Pauline
Susan Sarandon as Beverly Clark
Lisa Ann Walter as Bobbie
Stanley Tucci as Link
Anita Gillette as Miss Mitzi
Bobby Cannavale as Chic
Omar Miller as Vern
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