I was quite surprised to discover that this recent American version of the film was every bit as good, possibly better than the Japanese original, Shall We Dance (1996).  The DVD begins with clips from the Japanese film.

            The basic storyline is identical, i.e. a bored corporate male employee in mid-life spots a beautiful woman standing in the window of a dance studio and spontaneously decides to take dance lessons that change his life.  What the American version brings us is a great cast and some wonderful comic scenes.  Richard Gere plays, John Clark, the bored estate-planning attorney who spots Paulina, i.e. Jennifer Lopez in the window.  J-Lo is an icon, but she's nice scenery and she dances with some intensity.  Gere has risen from the pretty face category and become a good actor.  He plays this role with sensitivity and humor.  Susan Sarandon plays Bev, John's wife and she is just plain great. 

            The beginning dance class includes three unlikely dance prospects, John, Bobby Cannavale as Chic and Omar Miller (a San Jose State grad whose only been in a half dozen films) as Vern.  Cannavale played Joe, the lunch truck guy in The Station Agent (2003).  He exhibits the same wonderful scattered exuberance in this film.

            However, the secret weapon in this film is Stanley Tucci who plays Link, a closet dance enthusiast who works in John's office.  John plays the straight man to Tucci's wild character, Link, and it works into some very funny comedy.  And there's even more wild comic scenes when the flamboyant Bobbie, played by Lisa Ann Walter arrives in the dance class.

            But with all this humor, there is also drama and much of the drama has been weaved into the dancing.  It's a touching story done well.  That's not to say there isn't fantasy.  The prep for a serious dance performance is not a few months.  It's more like a few years.  I guess that kind of compression is artistic license.

            Reviewed May 6, 2005

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