Shall We Dance? (2004) is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by Peter Chelsom and starring Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez and Susan Sarandon. An American adaptation of the original 1996 Japanese film Shall We Dance?, the film is about a man in mid-life crisis who takes up dancing to give his life meaning again.
Main Plot and Themes
- The film is about the existential emptiness of John Clark (Richard Gere), a lawyer living a successful but routine life in Chicago. Despite a seemingly happy marriage and career, John feels lost. One day, on his way to work, he notices a dance studio (Miss Mitzi’s Dance Studio) that lights up every evening and steps inside, intrigued by the mysterious dance teacher Paulina (Jennifer Lopez).
- Midlife Crisis and Rebirth: John rediscovers passion and excitement through dance.
- Family and Communication: His wife Beverly (Susan Sarandon) becomes suspicious of John’s behavior and has him followed, and miscommunication strains their marriage.
- Social Taboos: In the US, it is generally considered “suspicious” for adult men to be interested in dancing; the movie tries to break this prejudice.
- Freedom and Discipline: Dancing brings both freedom and discipline to John.
Character Analysis
- John Clark: A successful but unhappy lawyer. Dancing becomes a means of escape and self-expression for him.
- Paulina: A woman who has built up walls, disillusioned as a professional dancer. John’s pure passion softens her.
- Beverly: John’s wife faces her own fears as she tries to understand his change.
- Link (Stanley Tucci): John’s coworker, a secret “dance enthusiast”. He adds color to the film as a funny and touching character.
The Symbolism of Dance
In the film, dance is not just a hobby but a journey of self-discovery. The colorful characters in the dance studio that John attends (old women, shy young people) represent the people who are ostracized by society but are passionate about each other.
Differences between
Japanese and American Adaptations
The Japanese version is more minimalist and delves deeper into the theme of social oppression.
The American version has a more romantic and playful tone, and Jennifer Lopez’s character is more prominent.
Criticism
Some critics argued that the film was more superficial than the original.
The chemistry between Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez was questioned, but the dance scenes and Stanley Tucci’s performance were praised.
Conclusion
Shall We Dance? is a warm movie with the message of “living life by dancing” that can be watched by anyone who is caught in the monotony of life. With its visual feast, touching moments and funny details, it offers a pleasant experience to the audience.
Featured Line:
“We need a witness to our lives. There’s a billion people on the planet, I mean, what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you’re promising to care about everything… the good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things… all of it, all the time, every day. You’re saying ‘Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it.’” – Beverly (Susan Sarandon)
As you watch the movie, you might reflect on these questions:
Have you, like John, found a passion to give meaning to your life?
How do you think society’s view of dance can change?
Why is it so important to be “noticed” in a relationship?
If you like dance-themed romantic dramas, you might also be interested in Strictly Ballroom (1992) or Dirty Dancing (1987).