‘Shall We Dance’ takes adult view of life, love and relationships
For John Clark (Richard Gere of “Chicago”), the good life has become filled with dull days and lifeless nights. The Chicago professional appreciates his good fortune of having a well-paying job, a loving wife, Beverly (Susan Sarandon of “Dead Man Walking”), and two bright teenage children, but in “Shall We Dance,” something inside him wants to break free.
John fantasizes about discarding his reserved manner, which is slowly starving him, and tasting life.
That opportunity arrives with a vision of a beautiful but lonely dancer, Paulina (Jennifer Lopez of “The Wedding Planner”), whom he sees from the window of a sterile commuter train while returning to the suburbs each evening. An instructor at the financially troubled Miss Mitzi’s Ballroom Dance School, Paulina represents mystery and adventure, though not romance.
John plans to remain faithful to his wife, though after almost two decades of married life the relationship with Beverly has gone from passionate to pleasant.
With the end of his life now nearer than the beginning, the aging man wants to put some spark back in his heart, and that sometimes-joyous journey is captured in this low-key, feel-good movie, based on the 1996 Japanese import of the same name.
The PG-13 picture takes an adult view of life and love.
The characters seek to sprinkle some spice in their lives whether in dance competitions or romantic encounters, but none of the them ever intends to hurt another person.
During the multi-character story, British director Peter Chelsom (“Serendipity”) offers glimpses into the life of Lopez’s initially aloof character, a professional dancer coming to terms with past mistakes.
In addition, the film touches upon the relationship between John and Beverly, who like so many couples have settled into a mundane daily routine.
Other characters whose lives revolve around the school include: a surprisingly romantic detective (Richard Jenkins of HBO’s “Six Feet Under”) hired by a confused Beverly to follow her husband; a repressed professional (Stanley Tucci of “Road to Perdition”) addicted to macho ballroom moves; a dance student (Bobby Cannavale of “The Station Agent”) obsessed with the idea that people will think he’s gay, and an overweight student (Omar Miller) seeking to glide across the floor while dancing with his fianc?e.
While gracefully waltzing through the material, Chelsom and his very talented cast create colorful characters who ultimately realize that change is good, love is the answer and becoming a lord of the dance can help to heal the heart of any man or woman seeking a new lease on life.
FILM REVIEW
“Shall We Dance”
Grade: B
Starring: Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Richard Jenkins, Bobby Cannavale and Omar Miller; screenplay by Audrey Wells, based on original material written by Masayuki Suo; produced by Simon Fields; directed by Peter Chelsom.
Running Time: 106 minutes.
Parental Guide: PG-13 (sexual references, harsh four-letter profanity)