Movie 2004.10.20 - Shall We Dance?

Watched Shall We Dance? starring Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez last night. Wait, wait. That's only because I got free tickets. Honest.

Miramax' production is actually a remake of Masayuki Suo’s Shall We Dansu? I have seen the Japanese version four, five years ago, and I can't help comparing the two. Most of the characters and scenes are direct copies, but I have to say there is just no comparison. The original movie is way funnier and more believable. Japanese movies are just natural with slapstick humour and quirky characters. Put those same scenarios and characters into an American context, and it doesn't work that well anymore. All I can see is Richard Gere's trademark sheepish grin whenever he needs to emote. For Miss J. Lo, she puts on this semi-pained expression on her face most of the time.

In the original version, Mr. Accountant takes dancing lessons on the sly because Japanese society doesn't look kindly to public displays of affection, and for a husband and wife to dance is embarrassing. In a way, dancing for him becomes a form of noncomformity, a way of self-expression, a search for "something more." And now, we are supposed to believe that the reason Mr. Divorce Lawyer (Richard Gere) didn't tell his wife that's he scheming to dance with Paulina (J. Lo) every Wednesday night is because he's ashamed to admit that he wants something more for himself. When did this stop anyone in 21st century America from getting what he/she want before?

The movie has its good moments. I can remember at least two - the heart-to-heart talk between Susan Sarandon and the P.I. at the bar, and the scene where a colleague enters the washroom where Richard Gere and Stanley Tucci are practising their moves.