Save your money for something good and enjoyable

not as good as all the hype

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Miramax made this film after a 1996 Japanese movie of the same title became a huge hit. But this film doesn't have the aura of cultural nonacceptance that the Japanese film had Without that, Richard Gere's John Clark is not so stigmatized to have to hide his taking dance lessons. Of course, he does, but It seems almost awkward and even contrived at times. We know that his wife, Beverly (Susan Sarandon) would not be shocked to find out that he is taking ballroom dancing lessons. Nor would his coworkers. So, it comes across somewhat in this movie as though he doesn't want to advertise it because it's not the male or macho think for a man to do. As I said, it seems implied that way. Other than that, I think the characters all are good and probably had much fun making this movie. Paulina's character (Jennifer Lopez) may be just a little overboard. She comes on too strong in her dancing, for what she has experienced. The Japanese actress in that film, emoted a sense of emptiness and loss for her experience. And through the duration of the events there, she gradually recovered. This film is fun to watch, even if some of the plot is a little hokey. It's nothing special but most people should enjoy it.

Wanting to get more out of life, Richard Gere, estate attorney, signs up for dance lessons. Of course, wife Susan Sarandon, believes he is having an affair and hires a detective to pursue this situation.This is basically a feel-good movie that depicts when life becomes tedious, you have to set your sights on something new. At the ballroom, Gere meets up with some unusual, but very interesting people as he becomes quite an accomplished dance.His dancing gives new meaning to his life and when Sarandon finally finds out what he is doing, all are relieved.Jennifer Lopez, as one of the dance instructors, is a very interesting character, with a story of her own. Her teaching to Gere gives her a new meaning to life and she allows herself to set her goals and reach for beyond.

"Shall We Dance" succeeds because it avoids predictability and goes in a direction you don't expect. Richard Gere is John Clark, a lawyer who leads a safe life. His wife, Beverly, played by Susan Sarandon, calls most of the shots in their marriage, and the people in the office where he works pick on people who do not conform to the norm. Each night as John Clark commutes home on the train, he notices a woman sitting in the window of a dance studio. One night when she isn't there, he gets off the train to investigate. He enters Miss Mitzi's dance studio, and almost despite himself, enrols for lessons.Miss Mitzi's is a rather run-down establishment, and not as funky as the popular studio downtown. However, from the start John becomes involved in the lives of the other students and the teachers. Everyone at the studio is pursuing a dream of one kind or another. This is true of Jennifer Lopez's character Paulina, the overly serious dance instructor. Although Gere's character was initially drawn to the dance academy because of her presence in the window, there is no romance between them. "I prefer not to socialise with students, she tells him, I take dance very seriously and if I was your goal, you have wasted your time". However, she isn't, he loves his wife and he has another agenda altogether. John's wife, Beverly, suspects he is having an affair and hires a private detective.The detective quickly discovers that John is not having an affair and forces Beverly to accept that he is trying to find some hidden aspect of himself. The movie does not dwell on this element for long; the real themes of the film are discovery and fulfilment. Eventually, John goes to the department store where Beverly works and takes her away in a scene that is reminiscent of the ending of an "Officer and a Gentleman".Although the overly quirky Stanley Tucci as Link threatens to overbalance the story, his character becomes more rounded as the story unfolds, providing some uplifting moments when he conquers personal fears.Music is an important element in the movie and although it features recognisable standards such as "Moon River", "Sway" and "Book of Love", they have been given a contemporary twist.Jennifer Lopez's character, Paulina, lives only to dance, but has been rejected by her lover and dancing partner. She is attractive enough to catch the attention of men, but is aloof and lost in her own world. J.Lo fits the role perfectly with a low-key performance that also allows her to display her genuine dancing skills.At first it is a little hard to accept Richard Gere playing a somewhat repressed man. Although he is a lawyer, he is not dominant at work or at home. However, this is probably his best performance since "Pretty Woman", but very different. "Shall We Dance" is an engaging movie, and the two powerhouse stars play against type, making their performances all that more effective.

SPOILERS (although this lame remake could not possibly be spoiled any further). The first, most basic rule a beginning writer (including screenwriter) is taught is "Show, don't tell"; that is, let the readers, or viewers, realize for themselves what emotions a character may feel, from his actions, not from his words. This wholly unnecessary remake of the wonderful 1996 Japanese original breaks this elementary rule. Indeed, would any viewer have guessed that Richard Gere was so much in love with Susan Sarandon, had he not said so to her (and therefore to the audience) in the manipulative scene in which he appears at her work in formal dress with rose in hand? Certainly nothing from what we see of their relationship before this scene hints at such deep love. (Incidentally, whenever the screenplay departs from the Japanese original, as in the above-mentioned scene, it becomes totally bankrupt and unoriginal: the scene is lifted straight out of "An Officer and a Gentleman," when Gere, in full white uniform, appears at Debra Winger's job to carry her away.) I'm a great fan of Stanley Tucci (who is good in everything, even in this), but I almost lost all respect for him to allow himself to appear in this atrocious movie. How could he not realize that the dialog was so poorly written? I have no doubt that this remake will be very successful, judging from the taste of the American public, which seems to have sunk to new depths. If you absolutely MUST see this movie, I recommend that you first rent the DVD of the Japanese original, and then compare it to this remake to appreciate the truth of my critique.