Description: Here's the irresistible comedy treat that had critics and audiences cheering all across America ... and inspired the new Hollywood hit starring Richard Gere (CHICAGO), Jennifer Lopez (MAID IN MANHATTAN), and Susan Sarandon (DEAD MAN WALKING). A middle-aged workaholic's incredibly dull life takes a funny turn when he signs up for a ballroom dance class -- just to meet the sexy dance teacher. But when he finally muscles up the nerve for lessons he winds up with a different instructor and her colorfully eccentric class of beginners! And now he'll have to step lightly -- and do some fancy footwork -- if he expects to keep his new secret passion from his family and friends! You'll love every minute of this crowd-pleasing motion picture!
Amazon.com: On his evening commute, bored accountant Sugiyama (Koji Yakusho) always looks for the beautiful woman who gazes wistfully out the window of the Kishikawa School of Dancing. One night he gets off the train, walks into the studio, and signs up for a class. Soon Sugiyama is so engrossed in his dancing he practices his steps on the train platform and under his desk, and becomes good enough for competition, compelling his wife to hire a private investigator to find out why he stays out late and returns home smelling of perfume. Among the colorful characters Sugiyama meets is his coworker Aoki (Naoto Takenaka), who transforms himself from geeky systems analyst to hilariously flamboyant (and bad-wigged) lounge lizard. Aoki explains to Sugiyama, "When I finish work, put on the clothes, the wig and become Donny Burns, Latin world champion, and I start to move to the rhythm, I'm so happy, so completely free." Here lies the chief charm of Shall We Dance, the contrast between the ultracompetitive women of the studio--including the one who caught Sugiyama's eye, Mai (Tamiyo Kusakari)--and the men who dance simply because they enjoy it. This 1996 film is somewhat comparable to the flamboyant Aussie favorite Strictly Ballroom, but Shall We Dance is especially noteworthy for contrasting the boldness of social dance with the buttoned-up societal mores of Japan, where people avoid public displays of emotion. Even in Japan, the joy of dance is irresistible. --David Horiuchi
Shall We Dance - Japanese version My wife and I loved the American version with Richard Gere so when some friends thought the Japanese version was better we had to see for ourselves. My wife did think it was a little better but I liked the Gere version a little better. It is definitely worth getting to compare some parts and characters.
Shall We Dance, orginal Japanese film I kept looking for this film on DVD. I had seen it in a theater. I'm so happy to have the original version, it's so subtle and sweet. Although the American version is tolerable, I'm not a Richard Gere or Jennifer Lopez fan. They are distracting to the story, as are such high profile people as Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci.
Natsu Kashi I was in Japan when it hit theaters but never saw it there. Finally ten years later I got the chance. A very excellent movie that definitely is best suited in Japan and realistically captures the culture and mind set, along with the "quirks" of Japan. Don't let the subtitles deter you from seeing this film as the acting is awesome and easily conveys the meaning. The pace is great and scenery brought back many memories and bonus for anyone who has visited Japan. Of course it is a feel-good comedy, but not so sugary sweet you feel ready for an insulin shot. Borders on being a foreign film classic. G
The Best of Japanese Romance and Comedy This is a wonderful movie. It is great as comedy, it is romantic. Yet it is NOT a romantic comedy and in fact the dramatic elements give you a very serious look into modern Japanese culture. Which is why the American re-make by Richard Gere simply could not work and should never ever have been attempted at all: There was no effective way to translate the story from Japanese culture into American culture. The sad thing is that this probably kept the original from ever obtaining the wide US release that it truly deserved, and we are the poorer for it. So here is your opportunity to make up that deficiency. It is a fun, uplifting movie.
Movie great, DVD is not Note, I am NOT referring to the American REMAKE starring Richard Gere. I am referring to this American DVD release of the Japanese film.
I give this Japanese movie 5 stars. However, I give this particular product one star. This American DVD release cut almost 20 minutes from the full Japanese version! Also, the voiceover narration at the beginning of the film is altered! I understand why the studios might think that the film in its entirety might not "sit well" with American audiences, but I honestly don't think that would've changed people's opinion of this classic film.
Perhaps, most of you do not mind, but that is a great travesty to me.
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