"Shall we...?"

SHALL WE DANCE (PG-13) 

Reviewed August 10, 1997 - Check out the Shall We Dance? web site.

A Japanese film directed by Masayuki Suo, Shall We Dance? tells the story of Shohei Sugiyama (Koji Yakuso), a 40-something Japanese businessman with a wife, a daughter, a successful career, and a brand new home.  Yes, Sugiyama's life seems to be in order; however, for Sugiyama it bears a certain emptiness, and he goes about his life in a quiet state of depression that seems to grow with each passing day. 

Then, while taking the commute train home one evening, Sugiyama notices a second-floor sign for a dance studio, and sees a beautiful young woman solemnly staring out the window.  The desire to get to know this girl, a dance instructor as it turns out, draws Sugiyama to the studio, where he nervously signs up for ballroom dancing lessons.  Overcoming his initial embarrassment, Sugiyama then slowly begins to learn to dance, and in the process turns his attempt to meet a girl into an odd adventure that breaks him out of his depression and ultimately brings him to life.

As a foreign film here in the U.S., Shall We Dance? may not be as easy to find as some of the "blockbuster" Hollywood films currently in release.  For those who have the chance, however, this small but quirky foreign film is definitely one to see.  Playing on aspects of Japanese culture, where dancing (even with your wife) is considered scandalous behavior, Shall We Dance? is a film that simultaneously offers comedy, drama, and romance while maintaining a tone that's undeniably charming.  From the soft-spoken Sugiyama, to the elegantly lonely Mai (Tamiyo Kusakari), to the outrageously funny split-personality Aoki (Naoto Takenaka), every character in this film is surprisingly human, genuinely interesting, and extremely watchable.  Don't let the Japanese setting mislead you--this film touches on some very basic and universal themes, and contains both some of the funniest, and also some of the most touching, scenes I've seen in any language.  This one's a real charmer, and those who make the effort to see it will be glad that they did. 

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

jenott@azstarnet.com gives this movie  stars: "Adorible and wonderfully well done. Ranks as my #1 movie of 1998 as it beat another foreign film, "The Full Monty", sending it to #2 spot." (6/1/99)

mugen108@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "i love the movie. but it was to short, i think." (10/7/98)

immersionfilms@netscape.net gives this movie  stars: "I laughed hysterically during this movie and how often can you say that. A wonderful dance film!!" (9/19/98)

tafuller@earthlink.net gives this movie  stars: "Great movie! I went to see it first because I'm taking Japanese, but now I'm glad I did. I would have never seen it otherwise. Aside from a bit of proably unavoidable translation problems it was absolutely delightful. It was verty funny, and could have been worth watching if not for it's great story." (11/23/97)

quy@yahoo.com gives this movie  stars: "One of the best movies of the year. I highly recommend it - funny and touching." (10/10/97)