Shall We Dance?

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Matthew D Incredibly and an endearing performance from Richard Gere. Director Peter Chelsom’s romantic comedy-drama Shall We Dance? (2004) really moved me. Richard Gere has real romantic chemistry with both Susan Sarandon and Jennifer Lopez. Chelsom directs dance scenes with such a style and vigor. It’s very funny and cute. Writer Audrey Wells lovingly adapts Masayuki Suō’s Japanese original film with a love of dance, care for people, and good humor. Shall We Dance? is far better than I remembered. Richard Gere dances fabulously as lawyer turned dancer John Clark. Gere sells you on his boredom with his day to day life as well as his sincere love of dancing. His dancing goes from stiff to smooth as he practices. He’s quite relatable and natural in his performance. Jennifer Lopez is sultry and forlorn as the lonely dance instructor Paulina. Her dancing looks effortless with real passion. Lopez was simply on fire in this era with tons of great movies back to back. Susan Sarandon is fabulous as Gere’s lovely and considerate wife Beverly Clark. Her suspicions of her husband feel grounded, so seeing her find a renewed sense of passion for their marriage in the end is special. The “Book of Love” scene with Peter Gabriel singing is so dreamy and cute! Lisa Ann Walter is hysterical as the loud dance hopeful Bobbie. Stanley Tucci displays a fervent passion for dancing as dance fiend Link Peterson. Anita Gillette is delightful as the nice and patient dance teacher Miss Mitzi. Bobby Cannavale’s Chic and Omar Miller’s Vern are so fun and good sports as Gere’s fellow dance novices. Tamara Hope feels earnestly concerned as Gere’s daughter Jenna Clark. Stark Sands is great in his brief role as Gere’s son Evan Clark, who encourages him to dance. Richard Jenkins’ absurdist private detective Devine is so fun like Nick Cannon’s intelligent novice detective Scott. Karina Smirnoff and Mya Harrison’s dancing are both outstanding. Ja Rule cameos as the rapper performing in the club with raw energy. Editors Charles Ireland and Robert Leighton’s neat dance montages are edited with a lively speed and playful style. They really make the movie special. Cinematographer John de Borman captures every glance, hand placement, and piece of intricate footwork with stylish shots. John O'Connell’s dance choreography is so lively and sensual. Composers John Altman and Gabriel Yared’s score is so sweet. The delicate piano main theme is wonderful. Costume designer Sophie de Rakoff pulls off dozens of dance outfits. Makeup artist Gary Archer does great work for Susan and Jennifer. Hairstyling by Melissa Yonkey is dazzling for Susan and Jennifer’s flowing hair. In all, 107 minutes fly by during Shall We Dance? Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, and Jennifer Lopez are fantastic. It warmed my heart. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/10/25 Full Review mark g Wow, this was a ridiculous film. One of those American remakes that says "this is corny, but you'll think heartwarming." Actually, I thought awful and cringe. So many scenes are run-ons, where, if they had to be shot, the director should have screamed cut a dozen times. Nothing wrong with corny, feel-good films, if there is skill behind the camera, there's not here. This movie is just dumb and silly. Wasted cast. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/24/25 Full Review Michele B Wonderful and emotional. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/09/25 Full Review Viviana C This is a movie to spend the afternoon and watch it, the characters are not fully developed but it is a good story if what you want is to spend some time with a good movie Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/14/24 Full Review Norma D Romantic comedy about ballroom dancing and relationships of all sorts. Ensemble acting by many fine actors. I also loved the Asian original. It helps that one of my daughters is a ballroom dancer. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/13/24 Full Review Cleveland E In typical Hollywood fashion, by taking big names, big stars to guarantee audience turnout, they meanwhile ruin the movie in the process. It lacks all the simple & subtle nuances of the original Japanese film — How can the director & produces be given a great script and movie & somehow manage to do everything wrong? Only Hollywood can f something up so badly. Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 10/11/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Shall We Dance?

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