A sheer dancing phenomenon that is filled with charisma and beauty.

Rating: 5/10 (8 March 2005)

A rare remake of the 1996 Japanese movie, Shall We Dance waltzes into cinemas in glitzy Hollywood style.
From the director of the 2001 classic Serendipity, Peter Chelsom has created a sophisticated romantic comedy about the realms of ballroom dancing.
Set in a modern America, an overworked estate lawyer, John Clark (Richard Gere) feels something is missing in his life and while returning home one evening he notices a beautiful dancer, Paulina, staring out of a window of Miss Mitzi's dance studio; he sees the passion in her that is sadly lacking in him.
After gathering the courage to meet Paulina (Jennifer Lopez) John joins the studio and to his surprise becomes transfixed by a newfound love of dancing that fills the void in his life.
Meanwhile, at home his beloved wife Beverly (Susan Sarandon) knows nothing of her husband's new hobby, as he has not had the courage to tell her. She becomes more and more suspicious and fears the worst about his whereabouts, eventually hiring a private detective. John soon feels that his dancing may be putting his marriage in jeopardy and he must act before it's to late.
This is a cheesy romantic comedy about a hobby that is passionate, inspirational and magical.
The standard of acting is very high with Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon in superb form; the dancing skills of Richard Gere is also impressive as he waltzes into the sunset with Jennifer Lopez. Her natural beauty and radiance is highlighted throughout the film.
Also watch out for a promising performance from Omar Benson Miller whose larger than life personality made me laugh during his role of Vern.
So all in all this is a Hollywood remake which isn't as good as the original but worth seeing. Although it will probably be more successful on video than at the box office as this is a movie that shouldn't have been released on the silver screen.