Claysaba
Excellent, Without a doubt!!
Curapedi
I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.
Philippa
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
jeffreylincoln
This film is a marvel of character study. No character in this film is flawless, and as we learn of their human weaknesses, we are drawn in by empathy and curiosity.There are some genuinely touching moments dealing with embarrassment, joy, and humor. If you are a ballroom dancer or have ever taken lessons, you will draw on that experience as you watch.This could be a good family film if the kids are old enough (12?) and can deal with the subtitles. You might have to explain why a wife would hire a private detective to spy on her husband. I would say this is a great date movie. The ending is nothing surprising but is very satisfying and well scripted and filmed.
babysweets718
Shall We Dansu delves into the clash between modern day desires and Japanese cultural traditions. Dancing, for men in Japan, is seen as an embarrassment so when our protagonist, Sugiyama decides to take dancing lessons he is faced with a problem. Sugiyama is a respectable Japanese man that works as a businessman and has a wife and daughter, so it is out of the norm for him to take dancing lessons. Sugiyama decides to take the classes in secret and also acquire a love for the dancing instructor Mai, in secret. Sugiyama lives a double life from then on but has a new found passion for life. Masayuki shows the humor of Japanese customs and how people must keep their lives secret to avoid humiliation.The acting in Shall We Dansu was the best part of the movie. Mr. Aoiki stole the movie with his sharp turns while walking as well as Toyoko with her negative outlook on life. The movie was light-hearted and funny while still holding a message, that you should follow your desires even if society finds them humiliating. Another actor that deserves praise is Mai. Mai played the role of a dancer who lost her passion very well and her stiffness added to the suspense of the movie. Her complete disinterest in Mr. Sugiyama made for an attention-grabbing movie since you never knew how the movie would pan out.Masayuki really captured all elements of the film and made all the loose ends tie together at the end. The film was funny yet meaningful and showed the battles of contemporary Japan fighting to break lose of its traditional ties. Shall We Dansu shows the passion for dance and for holding your own desire against societies expectations.
juniperland
Instead of reiterating the many thoughtful statements about this movie, I'd like to add the following comments about how this film compares to the American version, in case you were wondering which to watch. I've seen the Japanese film (full length and cut) 4 or 5 times, including once in the original Japanese, and I've seen the American version twice. 1) The Japanese film is ultimately better as it stays with you for years, but I respect the attempt to make a fairly faithful Western adaptation out of a story whose heart depends on being Japanese. 2) A big difference is that the Japanese film uses dance as simply part of the story, while the American version relies on flashy music and more expert dancing to capture the audience, not trusting the story to work by itself. The Japanese dancing is more credible -- Richard Gere becomes a twinkle toes too quickly. 3) Both stories show how one middle-aged man deals with his feelings of being trapped in routine, by doing something difficult and beautiful: ballroom dancing. Although he starts out with a crush on a beautiful dancer, he soon moves on to dance for its own sake. But in Japan, ballroom dancing is much less acceptable. 4) Both films have great supporting characters and story lines, but the American version is more rushed and crowded. 5) The Japanese star is very reminiscent of Gregory Peck -- and even Richard Gere cannot fill those shoes -- but both are handsome and acquit themselves very well in their versions of this movie. 6) The Japanese film has a wonderful storyline about marriage that is more subtle and touching than the American movie version (where Susan Sarandon is too on the nose in some of her speeches). The Japanese wife of the man with a secret dancing life is a terrific supporting character. She moves from contentment to worry to sadness as she tries to figure out what her once reliable husband is doing when he stays out late. Her reactions add poignancy and depth to the entire story, and contribute to the final satisfaction with this movie. 7) Jennifer Lopez is NOT terrible in the American version. I've been watching ballroom dancing for many years, and enjoyed watching her in the American film. I guess she is somebody some people love to hate, but she has matured and here is elegant and credible as the competitive ballroom dancer. The Japanese dancer actually seems more like a ballet dancer than a ballroom dancer, but why quibble? Both women are lovely. 8) The American film has more memorable music, but the scene where the lead dances to "Shall We Dance" is delightful in both. 9) Watch the Japanese film first, when you are in the mood to get absorbed in the characters' lives. Then wait a few weeks to watch the American film, and watch it when you are in the mood to dance along. The soundtrack is great.
noralee
Shall We Dansu? is a very non-Hollywood take, but it does fit in with it's predecessors - "Roseland" (which spotlighted my college roommate's mother for 4 whole minutes as a Roseland devotee), "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom" and "Strictly Ballroom." In more conventional movies the klutzy dance learners are really Broadway dancers who miraculously learn and become dazzling. Here I think even the "instructors" were actors and there's no dazzle. Odder, the music sounds like it's out of a karaoke machine, like Japanese re-interpretations of Western pop music, which I think is the theme of the Japanese taking on this Western hobby as well. A bit is lost in our ignorance of Japanese culture and mores though the narrator fills us in a bit. (There's a great line where a contestant in the dance competition is disqualified after he interrupts another's routine. "Ungentlemanly behavior - this is a British sport after all.")It's such a relief when the soundtrack suddenly breaks out in "Save the Last Dance For Me" before it goes back to the slightly off-rhythm, slightly off in some way music. The dancers weren't dancing to the music either - they rehearse without music.Regardless, it's a wonderful movie and only music fans would complain . I cried at several scenes. It's quite unpredictable in its comedy and touching in very unexpected ways. The audience clapped at the end. It's very annoying that the credits aren't translated except for a few leads. Stay thru the credits, though, as the dancing continues.(originally written 7/23/1997)
