"The Japanese original is great, but if you don't like reading movies - this is a wonderful substitute partner. It's fun, fabulous, and makes you want to hit the dance floor!" Cherryl and Leigh Ann THEMOVIECHICKS.COM "Conventional as it may be, Shall We Dance? offers genuine delights." Roger Ebert, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES "A breezy, lightweight, and happy little movie" Michael Elliott MOVIE PARABLES "...one of the most romantic films of the year." Tony Toscano TALKING PICTURES U.S.A "Filmgoers lured by nice notices, marketing magic and the teaming of Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez and Susan Sarandon will be charmed and entertained and spread that all-critical word of mouth." Doris Toumarkine FILM JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL

"A satisfying picture about something that everyone can identify with: a yearning for more." Sue Pierman MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL "The movie has a zippy script by Audrey Wells ... as well as a supersized order of funny supporting characters." Chris Hewitt ST PAUL PIONEER PRESS "A totally delightful film overflowing with passion for life, love -- and ballroom dancing." Betty Jo Tucker REELTALK MOVIE REVIEWS "Gere is the true star here! My wife liked this film so well she saw it four times. I had to see it twice to truly appreciate it." Vince Koehler ENTERTAINMENT SPECTRUM "this is a thoroughly likable flick, one that will have even the most rhythmically challenged schlub leaving the theater with a bounce in his step and twinkle in his eye." Sean McBride SEAN THE MOVIE GUY

At A Glance

"A polished, feel-good movie that will be most appreciated by those who went back for second helpings of My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Philip Wuntch DALLAS MORNING NEWS

There are many out there who cringe at the thought of a Hollywood remaking a foreign language classic and that has certainly been the case with Richard Gere's new film "Shall We Dance?, a remake of a Japanese box office hit from the 1990's. Of course no-one in their right mind would ever deny that the 1996 film [winner of 13 Japanese Academy Awards] "Dansu Wo Shimasho Ka" wasn't a classic, but that doesn't necessarily mean it can't be translated into a good english language commercial production. Right after seeing the Japanese horror film "The Ring" I remember remarking that it would make a great film if it was given a Hollywood make-over. I remember how I was howled down by my fellow industry workers. But it's a classic. Sure it was. In Japan! I also remember the hype that surrounded both "Ring I" and Ring II" when they were given a limited release in this country. Limited because the distributors were smart enough to understand that there just weren't enough people here to make it pay. Why? Because it was a load of crap. It wasn't scary at all. You see, the Japanese have a different psyche to us westerners. Well almost all westerners. What the Japanese find terrifying most westerners find either silly, very silly, down right stupid or just plain hilarious. Really? Yes, really! Remember the hype surrounding the ring. Terrifying! You'll never pick up the phone again! Gee, I was really, really scared. There's only two reasons why I'd never pick up the phone again and that has nothing to do with "The Ring". Reason #1. I know whose on the phone and I don't want to talk to them. Reason #2. There's thunder and lightning at the front door and hey, I want to live a long and hopefully, happy life. No way I'm going to get fried by four billion bolts of electricity entering the body through my right ear. When it comes to remakes, Hollywood, Bollywood and even the good old British don't always get it right. But sometimes they do. In the case of "Shall We Dance?, they sure did. Take screenwriter Audrey Wells. Wells was "deeply touched by the original film" and while she evidently recognised the merit of the original to Japanese audiences, Wells felt "the delightful story deserved an even wider audience." So just what was it she saw in the story? Wells says "it wasn’t so much about finding conventional love, but more about rediscovering the joy of pursuing one’s most hidden dreams, and about reviving the spark and passion of a good but routine marriage in mid-life." Recreating the story also meant taking it away from the rigidity of a Japanese culture, creating a new environment and a new leading man. That man is John Clark played by "Chicago" song and dance man, Richard Gere. Wells describes Clark as "the type who can do everything extremely well but doesn’t remember how to dream, until he enters that studio." In many ways "Shall We Dance" is a schmaltzy production, but please don't think I'm being unkind. In this case it's a compliment. Many of us will be able to relate to this film, in one way or another. Many will remember what it was like learning to dance. Who can recall; having two left feet; having a crush on the dance instructor; the sweet smell of perfume or the press of a body against ones own. Bring back memories? "What I liked about Audrey Wells's take on "Shall We Dance" is that these people go to Miss Mitzi’s expecting to learn to dance and yet emerge learning so much more," says director Peter Chelsom. "Each character is broken down. Each character seems to be carrying a secret they are not ready to share. And they all develop because one man one day got off a train in order to have one dance with one girl he saw at a window. I like the narrow cause and effect of the premise." It's a premise that works delightfully well. Producer Simon Fields sees the storyline of "Shall We Dance" as one people can relate too. "It isn’t about a desperate man who unrealistically turns his life completely around. Instead, it’s a story about a man who, like most of us, who is basically doing really well, who has a good job, a loving family and a successful marriage," he explained. "But then one day he sees this amazing face through a window and he begins to wonder if there’s somewhere higher he can go. I hadn’t read anything like that before, that touched upon this question of what’s really possible in an already pretty good life, and that was exciting. I also loved how the story juxtaposes the elegance and grace of ballroom dance against the normal routines of Chicago suburban life." Was there anything else that proved attractive to these two Englishmen? "In England, ballroom dancing is very much a part of our culture, and is actually considered a big sport. When Peter Chelsom and I were growing up, every Sunday we had two hours of ballroom dancing on television," Fields recalled. "So to take on a film that is about the allure of dancing seemed, for us, almost second nature." Director Chelsom elaborates that he'd, "always felt that Ballroom is secuctive and a little ridiculous at the same time and that makes for great comedy. It also makes for moments of extraordinary grace. It takes courage – especially if you’re John Clarke. It’s actually not about the dancing, it’s about the daring. I had been looking to make a film about dance for many years." Those sitting in the audience will be grateful he found that elusive film. Crew Bytes "SHALL WE DANCE" was .......
directed by Peter Chelsom ["Here My Song", "Funny Bones", "Town and Country" and "Serendipity"]; screenplay by Audrey Wells ["Guinevere" and "Under The Tuscan Sun"]; costume design by Sophie De Rakoff Carbonell ["All About The Benjamins", "Legally Blonde", "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Legally Blonde II"]; dance choreography by John O'Connell ["Muriel's Wedding", "Moulin Rouge", "Strictly Ballroom" and "Romeo & Juliet"]; production design by Caroline Hanania ["Wild West", "Moll Flanders", "Paper Mask" and "Surviving Christmas"]; edited by Charles Ireland ["Serendipity", "Town and Country", "Lolita" and "Maverick"]; director of photograhpy Evening Standard British Film Award winner John DeBorman B.S.C ["Serendipity", "Saving Grace", "The Full Monty" and "The Mighty"]; produced by Simon Fields ["Here My Song", "Funny Bones", "The Mighty" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"] and co-produced by Mari Jo Winkler ["The Astronaut's Wife", "The Object Of My Affection", "Serendipity" and "The Shipping News"]. Casting About "SHALL WE DANCE" stars .......
People’s Choice Award & GOLDEN Globe Award winner Richard Gere ["Days Of Heaven", "Looking For Mr Goodbar", "Pretty Woman" and "Chicago"]; 2002 ShoWest Female Star of the Year Jennifer Lopez ["Out Of Sight", "The Cell", "The Wedding Planner" and "Mi Familia"]; Academy Award & SAG Award winner Susan Sarandon ["Joe", "The Rocky Horror Show", "Banger Sisters" and "Moonlight Mile"]; Golden Globe & Emmy Award winner Stanley Tucci ["Sidewalks Of New York", "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers", "Road To Perdition" and "The Terminal"]; Bobby Cannavale ["The Postman", "The Bone Collector", "The Guru" and "The Station Agent"]; Lisa Ann Walter ["The Parent Trap", "Eddie", "Bruce Almighty" and "Breaking News"]; Omar Benson Miller ["8 Mile" and "Rabbi"]; Richard Jenkins ["There Something About Mary", "Changing Lanes", "Intolerable Cruelty" and "Cheaper By The Dozen"]; Nick Cannon ["Drumline", "Garfield The Movie" and "Love Don't Cost A Thing"]; and Anita Gillette ["Moonstruck", "She's The One", "Boys On The Side" and "The Guru"] as Miss Mitzi. The Story

"The movie not only shows you the longing felt by its characters, it draws you in to sharing those feelings with them. You want them to find their steps and rhythm. " Nell Minow MOVIE MOM AT YAHOO! MOVIES

Chicago lawyer John Clark appears to have everything. A loving wife, great kids and a successful career. But for all that, something is missing in his life. His routine is well, routine. He needs to find something but he can't put his finger on it, until, when travelling home he notices a face in a window and a sign, "Miss Mitzi's Dance School". The poignant look on the young womans face touches something deep within him. The next night he decides to investigate. In a flash he finds he has signed for a dance package and that his lessons start right then and there. Clark is a little bemuzed. The class is small, Miss Mitzi likes a little tipple and there are no women partners. At least the company is good. As his classes progress, John Clark begins to change. Suddenly he's happy. Suddenly he's in love. In love with dance. His mood change attracts suspicion at home. His wife Beverly, suspects he is up to no good. She hires a private detective to check on why John is working back and acting strange. The Verdict "The biggest plus for "Shall We Dance?" is that Jennifer Lopez looks good and thankfully says little to say. This clever piece of scripting allows the audience an unbridled opportunity to relish the performances of the other cast members, all of whom make this a romantic indulgence of the best kind. "Shall We Dance" is schmaltzy, romantic fun. Recommended viewing." The Cast

Richard Gere Jennifer Lopez Susan Sarandon Stanley Tucci Bobby Cannavale Lisa Ann Walter Omar Benson Miller Anita Gillette Richard Jenkins Nick Cannon Tamara Hope Diana Salvatore David Sparrow

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

John Clark Paulina Beverly Clark Link Peterson Chic Bobbie Vern Miss Mitzi Devine Scottie Jenna Clark Tina Louis

The Crew Directed by Peter Chelsom Produced by Simon Fields Original Music by John Altman and Gabriel Yared Cinematography by John de Borman Film Editing by Charles Ireland Casting by Richard Hicks Production Design by Caroline Hanania Art Direction by Sue Chan Set Decoration by Carolyn 'Cal' Loucks Costume Design by Sophie de Rakoff Carbonell Run Time 106 minutes Rated M15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2004 - Miramax Films - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2004 - Impact Internet Services & The Movie Pages - All Rights Reserved