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“Shall
We Dance”
By
Don Simmons
Rated PG-13 for some sexual references and brief language Runtime:
USA: 106 min
When life is summed up, we ask – “Is that it?” Thus,
the quandary of John Clark, played by Richard Gere, a successful attorney
who settles wills and estates and who has seen far too many lives pass
him by as he wraps, packages and completes the final paper work of those
who go before him.
A dedicated husband and father, John decides there is something missing
in his life. Every day, looking from the window of his commuter train
on the way home, he sees a fetching siren, Paulina, a saddened and wistful
beauty, played by Jennifer Lopez, as she dances by an open window of
Miss Mitzy's Dance Studio.
One day on a whim he jumps off his train, following his desire to meet
the unattainable. Drawing him to crossing the line of his comfortable
life and awaken a dream of being happier, he quickly learns that Paulina
only teaches part time and is not interested in his advances. But the
middle-aged instructor, Miss Mitzy (Anita Gillette), takes John and
two other men, Vern (wonderfully played by Omar Miller) and the homophobic
Chic (Bobby Cannavale) through the fundamentals of ballroom dance.
The simplicity of this step racks him with guilt of betraying his faithful,
but busily distracted wife, Beverly, played by Susan Sarandon. She suspects
something when their daughter comments; “he seems happier.”
When she hires a private investigator to follow him, she discovers his
secret life of dance lessons, but chooses to do nothing about it, later
revealing to the P.I. an insightful philosophy to her motivation of
marriage. “Why do we get married? We need a witness to our life.
We need someone to say your life will not go unnoticed because I will
notice.” Obviously, she loves him but does not understand why he's
keeping this part of his life a secret.
In the movie, dance parallels the fears we face in life. Stanley Tucci
delightfully plays Clark's co-worker, who disguises himself to dance
for fear of recrimination by others. It's only when he loses his
façade does he gain the courage to bear his soul, giving him
true courage and confidence.
The fear of letting go is aptly stated in one of the most sparkling
moments of the film when Paulina gives John a lesson of dance. Frustrated
with the class for not understanding the passion that must drive a dance
she asserts, “The rumba is the vertical expression of a horizontal
wish. You have to hold her, like the skin on her thigh is your reason
for living. Let her go, like your heart's being ripped from your
chest. Throw her back, like you're going to have your way with her
right here on the dance floor. And then finish, like she's ruined
you for life.”
In this film by Peter Chelsom, who gave us other light hearted but thoughtful
films like “Serendipity” and “Town & Country”,
“Shall We Dance” is a lyrical journey of a man
who chooses to step off the train of the known and into the street of
change.
The script by Masayuki Suo and Audrey Wells (“Under the Tuscan
Sun” and “The Truth About Cats & Dogs”)
was adapted from Suo's 1996 sleeper hit film in Japan “Dansu
Wo Shimasho Ka.” Camera work by John de Borman is beautiful
and lushly private. Choreographer John O'Connell is expectedly on
his game having mounted such dance extravaganza as “Moulin Rouge”
and “Strictly Ballroom.”
I can't think of anyone in modern cinema that has the charm, charisma
and down right good looks as Richard Gere, who again proves, after his
spin on the dance floor in “Chicago,” he has the grace
of an accomplished dancer. Never a big fan of Jennifer Lopez, mostly
due to her very public private life, she made a believer out of me.
Her dancing skills and poise are superb, having taken dance lessons
from the age of five. Now that she's all grown up there is no doubt
why in certain circles she is called “La Guitarra.”
Her well toned body curves like fine Spanish guitar.
In another exceptional performance by Lisa Ann Walter, (“Bruce
Almighty”) who plays Bobbi, a bigger than life, overweight
dance diva, she gives us the real heartache of human frailty by constantly
reminding others to not “look at her butt” as she walks away.
Funny and alive, we can feel the wings of her soul sprout like a butterfly
as she relates to John, “when you find a dream, your world goes
from black and white to color.”
As in real life, “Shall We Dance” explores the
fears of the unknown with the inevitable bumps, pitfalls and insecurity
when seeking more in life than what is offered. The entire cast is outstanding
in their respective, well-defined roles that mirror the internal anxiety
John Clark feels deep in his soul, as he seeks fulfillment. Dance creates
a stirring of that soul. And in seeking our bliss we are well aware
of our fumbling, but brave are they who are willing to put themselves
on the line to take a step forward in the face of a challenge in order
to bring happiness into our life. And like in life when we face a challenge,
dance reminds us to “Don't say anything. Don't think. And
don't move unless you feel it.” “Shall We Dance”
reminds us to move into the rhythm of life, trusting the steady movement,
keeping your head up and looking forward – not down at the ground,
lost in the fear of being foolish.
Don
Simmons is a Spiritual Counselor with Phoenix & Dragon Bookstore
who has been involved with film production over 25 years and holds a
degree in film and journalism.
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