Linbeymusol Wonderful character development!

Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Edwin The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Staci Frederick Blistering performances.

Eclectic116 This version of "Shall We Dance?" is a cheap American ripoff of a vastly better Japanese movie with the same title. The whole premise of the movie makes no sense when placed in America, since we don't have the same cultural norms. The Japanese version is one of my favorite films. It has far more heart and much better character development than the American version. It's also much funnier. Do yourself a HUGE favor and watch the Japanese version instead!

JohnHowardReid Needless to say, I loved it. The only thing I really didn't like was the conclusion, although I also thought that the fat boy learning how to dance was a cliché we could have well done without. The acting is well-nigh perfect with both Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez in really top form. Other outstanding portrayals were handed in by Stanley Tucci and Lisa Ann Walter. Incidentally, the Miramax DVD is loaded with fascinating extras, including a few brief scenes that ended up on the cutting room floor, plus fascinating interviews with director Peter Chelsom and other personnel.

tomsview "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.

Joel Sloane 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.