Shall We Dance? Movie Review: By Adam Mast, ZBoneMan.com

Shall We Dance is yet another remake that doesn’t hold a candle to the original. The 1996 Asian version is by no means a classic, but at least it featured better dance numbers and a stronger rapport between the two leads. The strongest attribute this version has going for it is a fun supporting cast.

Shall We Dance features Richard Gere as John Clark, a middle aged man who finds that he’s drifting apart from his ambitious wife Beverly (played by Susan Sarandon). He loves her dearly, but feels a desperate need for something different in his life. While riding home from work on the train, he spots lonely dance instructor Paulina (Jennifer Lopez) peering out the window of a dance studio, and is instantly compelled to meet her. Before long, he discovers that ballroom dancing may very well be that spark he’s been looking for. Naturally, he doesn’t tell his wife about the lessons he’s been taking, and she becomes worried that something horrible might be happening to their marriage.

Shall We Dance is incredibly disjointed. I give it credit for going in directions I wasn’t expecting, but the pacing and plot holes hurt the film severely. Richard Gere is a blank in this picture. It isn’t that he’s a bad actor. He’s likable enough. But he doesn’t bring any energy to the film and he seems incredibly stiff in the dancing sequences (as was the case in Chicago). So much so, in fact, that director Peter Chelsom and his team of editors opt to cut the movie in a way as to fool the audience into believing he’s a better dancer than he actually is. They failed in their attempt. Jennifer Lopez does a decent job showcasing a sense of loneliness and she does liven up the proceedings with a sexy dance number, but her chemistry with Gere is positively nil. I also couldn’t shake the notion that this was originally a bigger part, but somewhere along the line, it was cut considerably (a similar problem occurred with Kevin Smith’s Jersey Girl). Susan Sarandon has the thankless task of playing Beverly, John’s suspicious wife. She manages to inject the role with dramatic depth, but is far more talented than the part is written.

The supporting cast really lend the film it’s energy. Stanley Tucci is a riot as Link Peterson, a nebbish closet dancer who’s been doing the tango for years under everyone’s noses thanks to a goofy disguise. This isn’t necessarily award worthy work but it is high energy and makes the film tolerable. I also liked Lisa Ann Walter’s turn as Bobbie, a tenacious dancer who says what’s on her mind and has absolutely no problem with self confidence. Like Tucci, she brings a lively bravado to the role.

The dance numbers are surprisingly tepid. This isn’t Strictly Ballroom nor does it bring any of that magic that many associate with movies like Dirty Dancing. No, this is pretty dull stuff. Not once did I feel like cheering these dancers on during the climactic competition that takes up the last ten minutes of the movie. Tucci provides a couple of nice moves as does Jennifer Lopez in the previously mentioned mid-movie number, but that’s about it.

Shall We Dance is well intentioned and it doesn’t offer up anything that will offend the viewer (although I got the distinct impression that an infidelity sub plot was completely ripped from the movie), but I never felt moved by the experience. Unfortunately, this film is unable to kick up the charm factor that makes movies like Wimbledon appealing. Thanks to a fun supporting cast, it manages to steer clear of "Laws of Attraction" terrain, but in the end, I didn’t feel the music.

Grade: C

Adam Mast, ZBoneMan.com