Sometimes a person's just gotta dance!

Rating: Null/10 (15 October 2004)

What does a man who has achieved the proverbial American dream do when he realizes he is bored with his life? A middle-aged man who feels too embarrassed by his riches to admit his feelings of apathy to anyone. Not his coworkers, not his friends, and certainly not his wife. A man whose conscience tells him that revealing his innermost thoughts would be tantamount to admitting personal failure and give rise to a sense of unworthiness for the good life he has achieved despite the happiness he hasn't found or retained.
Richard Gere is faced by this dilemma in Shall We Dance, a remake of the popular 1996 Japanese film of the same name. Gere plays Chicago lawyer John Clark who seems to have it all---good health, white-collar occupation, house in the suburbs, attractive wife (played by Susan Sarandon) and well-adjusted children---but realizes that all he has is a life marked by a routine broken only by the daily train commute to and from work. His stable, secure and contented home life, which would be the envy of most, simply lacks spirit, excitement and, for Mr. Clark, joy. In any other film looking for easy solutions, Gere would have to become an embezzler or have an affair. But not in this entertaining and warm-hearted film.
Gere's character transcends his humdrum existence through ballroom dancing. Sounds simple, but it's not. He's got to learn, which means taking lessons. Jennifer Lopez is his inspiration, but he also meets other interesting people, emerging with a renewed lease on life as a result of his musical quest. There are a few bumps along the way, but the movie's tone is nothing less than nice and pleasant. It entertains without insulting its audience.
Jennifer Lopez is also very good in a minor role, and proves she still has her moves as the assistant dance instructor who helps Gere get his rhythm. Stanley Tucci is hilarious as the straight-laced lawyer with a secret alter ego he unleashes on the dance floor every night. Much of this is in the original Japanese film, including tap dancing under the desk and dancing while waiting for a train. But this American remake is definitely worth seeing to experience the elation that Gere experiences on screen.
While the original Japanese film had more drama, pathos, and suspense, this version achieves its cinematic vision by a comfortable comedic touch that is sure to please. This is a nice film with nothing to offend. It's bright and charming entertainment that also gives viewers pause for thought. Shall We Dance deserves an 8/10.