Shall We Dance?

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Shall We Dance?

PG

1996

2h 17m

Romance

Drama

Comedy

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

51 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Shohei Sugiyama (Koji Yakusho) seems to have it all -- a high-paying job as an accountant, a beautiful home, a caring wife and a doting daughter he loves dearly. However, he feels something is missing in his life. One day while commuting on the train he spots a beautiful woman staring wistfully out a window and eventually decides to find her. His search leads him head-first into the world of competitive ballroom dancing.

Critics Consensus

Elegantly told by director Masayuki Suo and warmly performed, Shall We Dance? is a delightful celebration of stepping out of one's comfort zone and cutting a rug.

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Terry Lawson

Detroit Free Press

If Shall We Dance? is as simplified as one of those color-coded mats that show you exactly where to plant your feet in a proper fox trot, it is also sweetly entertaining and sincere.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 10, 2024

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Jami Bernard

New York Daily News

This charming comedy uses dance as a metaphor for individual expression, risk-taking and intellectual flight.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 10, 2024

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Jeff Strickler

Minneapolis Star Tribune

The movie works on several levels, so if viewers don't understand the social commentary, there's still an amusing story with intriguing characters.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 10, 2024

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Dennis King

Tulsa World

A treasure of humor and heartbreak that transcends cultural boundaries. While its sentimental rhythms sometimes move too close to the cloying, it still manages to lift our hearts and set our toes to tapping.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 10, 2024

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Joe Baltake

Fresno Bee

What's more rousing here is the notion of a life awakened -- the rewarding sight of a mediocre man blossoming and becoming confident.

Rated: B

Sep 10, 2024

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Dan Webster

Spokesman-Review (Washington)

The lesson has to do with resolving the lure of a dream and coming to an acceptance of real life.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 10, 2024

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Stephen C

I love dancing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Japanese and American English audio versions with American English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $102,500.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

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Cleveland E

Such an endearing, heartfelt story. I saw it in NYC when it first came out. Was with Midwest friends that never saw a subtitled film & were very reluctant, but they wound up loving it. What’s not to love. Great acting, fabulous & moving story, great dancing and choreography and a wonderful competition at the end! Don’t waste your time with the remake with Richard Gere. Hollywood is utterly incapable of doing simple, meaningful films with down-to-earth, realistic characters; they glam it up and ruin it. This should be on everyone’s must see list.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/11/25

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coronavirus k

demon blood rise and the usa falls in the tale

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/17/25

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Audience Member

The most beautiful movie I've seen in a long time. Simply wonderful. Sightly hilarious that from Japan the mecca to which they aspire is Blackpool, but also it is true...or was. An absolute must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

One of the most charming and entertaining films I've seen in a long time... I cared a lot about the characters and they seemed real and not contrived....a classic

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Audience Member

This is a Japanese film classic. One of the best films I have ever seen. Koji Yakusho and Tamiyo Kusakari are amazing. it is a charming and funny film. Forget the Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez remake.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

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Masayuko Suo

Director

Kôji Yakusho

Shohei Sugiyama

Tamiyo Kusakari

Mai Kishikawa

Naoto Takenaka

Tomio Aoki

Eriko Watanabe

Toyoko Takahashi

Yu Tokui

Tokichi Hattori

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Synopsis

Shohei Sugiyama (Koji Yakusho) seems to have it all -- a high-paying job as an accountant, a beautiful home, a caring wife and a doting daughter he loves dearly. However, he feels something is missing in his life. One day while commuting on the train he spots a beautiful woman staring wistfully out a window and eventually decides to find her. His search leads him head-first into the world of competitive ballroom dancing.

Director: Masayuko Suo
Producer: Shoji Masui, Yûji Ogata
Screenwriter: Masayuko Suo
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Drama, Comedy
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 15, 1996, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 30, 2025
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $102.5K
Runtime: 2h 17m
Sound Mix: Surround