Shall We Dance (2004)
If it weren’t for one fly in the ointment at the end of the movie, I would love Shall We Dance. As it is, I like it very much, but every time I watch it, I turn it off before the end. It stars Richard Gere as a businessman who’s bored with life and feeling stale. From the window on the train ride home one night, he sees Jennifer Lopez teaching in her dance studio and feels inspired to sign up for lessons. Learning to dance gives him a new lease on life, but he's so embarrassed he doesn't tell anyone. His friend at work Stanley Tucci supports him, but the other fellows in the office would surely torment him if they knew. His wife, Susan Sarandon, gets so worried about him coming home late from the office, she hires a private detective, Richard Jenkins, to find out what he's actually doing. The entire cast is very cute, and the story is funny and sweet.
I’ve seen the original Japanese version, and it’s delightful. Because of the cultural stigmatism of showing weakness and taking dance lessons as a hobby, it makes much more sense in that setting. When Richard Gere keeps his hobby as a shameful secret, you can’t help but wonder why. Why doesn’t he want to tell his sexy wife so they can spice up their marriage? Why doesn’t he want to brag to his colleagues about his sexy hidden talents? Let’s face it: Richard Gere is just too sexy for the movie. Someone else should have been cast, someone who really would be embarrassed to take ballroom dance classes. Gene Hackman, John C. Reilly, or even Anthony Hopkins, would have been better choices (it’s an ageless role). It’s supposed to be out-of-character for the protagonist to take an interest in dancing, and heartwarming that he discovers a new side to himself. For the star of American Gigolo, it’s neither of those things.
Still, this movie is a great choice for date night or matinee day with your pals. It’s uplifting, funny, charming, and light. Don’t take it seriously or compare the American setting to the Japanese original. Appreciate it for what it is, and you’ll have a great time. Susan Sarandon has a lovely speech about the importance of marriage, Richard Jenkins and Stanley Tucci enjoy the cutest roles of their careers, and Jennifer Lopez is everything she needs to be. Richard Gere is Richard Gere: a man any woman would be glad to have as her husband, even if he takes secret dance lessons with a very attractive younger woman.
More Susan Sarandon movies here!
I’ve seen the original Japanese version, and it’s delightful. Because of the cultural stigmatism of showing weakness and taking dance lessons as a hobby, it makes much more sense in that setting. When Richard Gere keeps his hobby as a shameful secret, you can’t help but wonder why. Why doesn’t he want to tell his sexy wife so they can spice up their marriage? Why doesn’t he want to brag to his colleagues about his sexy hidden talents? Let’s face it: Richard Gere is just too sexy for the movie. Someone else should have been cast, someone who really would be embarrassed to take ballroom dance classes. Gene Hackman, John C. Reilly, or even Anthony Hopkins, would have been better choices (it’s an ageless role). It’s supposed to be out-of-character for the protagonist to take an interest in dancing, and heartwarming that he discovers a new side to himself. For the star of American Gigolo, it’s neither of those things.
Still, this movie is a great choice for date night or matinee day with your pals. It’s uplifting, funny, charming, and light. Don’t take it seriously or compare the American setting to the Japanese original. Appreciate it for what it is, and you’ll have a great time. Susan Sarandon has a lovely speech about the importance of marriage, Richard Jenkins and Stanley Tucci enjoy the cutest roles of their careers, and Jennifer Lopez is everything she needs to be. Richard Gere is Richard Gere: a man any woman would be glad to have as her husband, even if he takes secret dance lessons with a very attractive younger woman.
More Susan Sarandon movies here!