Shall We Dance (2004)

Director:

Peter Chelsom

Writers (WGA):

Masayuki Suo (1997 screenplay)
Audrey Wells (screenplay)

Release Date:

15 October 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Music | Comedy

Tagline:

Step out of the ordinary

Plot:

A romantic comedy where a bored, overworked Estate Lawyer, upon first sight of a beautiful instructor, signs up for ballroom dancing lessons.

Plot Keywords:

Male Female Relationship | Love | Husband Wife Relationship | Remake | Remake Of Japanese Film

Awards:

4 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Fri. Aug. 1

8:00 AM

BRAVO

Cast

Richard Gere	...	John Clark
Jennifer Lopez	...	Paulina
Susan Sarandon	...	Beverly Clark
Lisa Ann Walter	...	Bobbie
Stanley Tucci	...	Link
Anita Gillette	...	Miss Mitzi
Bobby Cannavale	...	Chic
Omar Benson Miller	...	Vern (as Omar Miller)
Tamara Hope	...	Jenna Clark
Stark Sands	...	Evan Clark
Richard Jenkins	...	Devine
Nick Cannon	...	Scott
Sarah Lafleur	...	Carolyn
Onalee Ames	...	Diane
Diana Salvatore	...	Tina

Also Known As:

Shall We Dance? (USA) (poster title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual references and brief language.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:G (Quebec) | New Zealand:M | South Korea:12 | UK:12A (original rating) | UK:12 (video rating) (2005) | Taiwan:PG-12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Chile:TE | Finland:S | Germany:o.Al. | Ireland:12 | Netherlands:AL | Peru:PT | Philippines:G | Singapore:PG | Switzerland:10 (canton of Zurich) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #40888) | Canada:PG (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

The filming location was moved to Winnipeg from Toronto because of the SARS "scare" in early 2003.

Goofs:

Continuity: John goes to the dance club with his son Evan. As the camera enters the club, John's son Evan and his girlfriend are dancing in the crowd. In the next shot, they are sitting with John just getting ready to go out onto the dance floor.

Quotes:

Beverly Clark: We need a witness to our lives. There's a billion people on the planet... I mean, what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you're promising to care about everything. The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things... all of it, all of the time, every day. You're saying 'Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go un-witnessed because I will be your witness'."

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Biography: Richard Gere" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Livin' It Up

Passing grade remake

I should start by admitting that it was quite a while ago (New Years Day 1997, to be exact) that I watched the Japanese original, 'Shall We Dansu' (which, incidentally, IS THE ORIGINAL; the Astaire/Rogers 1937 flick, which happens to have the same name, IS NOT). However, although I don't remember every single detail, the essential feelings as well as some of the vivid images still seem fresh in my mind, particularly the glittering performance of Koji Yakusyo and Tamiyo Kusakari.

The Hollywood remake, while not as good as the Japanese original, is at least passing grade, in capturing the essence of the film, 'a man seeking not so much a woman as an answer to his question. Why is she sad? What is she thinking' (Ebert, on 'Shall We Dansu', NOT 'Shall We Dance'), as well as everybody's passion for ballroom dancing.

Richard Gere continues to exude his charm on the female audience. Jennifer Lopez, following Maid in Manhattan, continues to get more comfortable with more matured roles. Oscar best actress (and 5 times nominee) Susan Sarandon is dependable as ever. I'm trying very hard to think of a movie in which I can't find Stanley Tucci and …… darn it, the more I watch the guy, the more I like him!