Richard Gere. J-Lo. In A Movie That Will Make You Ask, "Why Did We Need to Make This?"
Once upon a time, there was an amazing Japanese movie called Shall We Dance, about a salaryman who leads a secret double-life by taking ballroom dancing lessons. I saw it only a few years after I'd come back from spending a year working in Japan. The monotony of his commute, the incomprehensibility of some of his life, and the sheer lack of self you can feel--even when things are good--had a lot of resonance with me. It's probably the best romantic comedy I've ever seen: simply shot, well-scripted, and yet astute in its observations about its characters and their surrounding society.
So now I take a break, check the web, and find an trailer for an American remake. With Richard Gere. And J-Lo. And Susan Sarandon.
The story's so good that I doubt even Hollywood could screw it up. But if you're even vaguely tempted, please see the original first.
Comments
That's one of my favorite films ever. I agree with you that it's very charming. I enjoy reading your blog, as I will be at NYU Law next year.
oysvdPosted by: Stephanie | May 1, 2004 01:28 AM
mmm, more of richard gere dancing. never thought i'd see that after chicago. i don't care, i'm for it.
pjdmPosted by: monica | May 1, 2004 11:48 AM
"The story's so good that I doubt even Hollywood could screw it up."
That hasn't stopped them before.:)
Perhaps it is true that Hollywood won't screw this one up...but surely they *could*.
nklwhPosted by: Sean S | May 1, 2004 12:39 PM
I saw that trailer too! Couldn't remember the name of the original movie; of course I didn't figure that they would have remade it under the same title.
I'm stoked. I loved the original, and dancing is J.Lo's one actual talent.
bkshrpPosted by: JCA | May 4, 2004 10:37 PM
loved the movie. will watch it again and again.
osslPosted by: cecilia shields | February 28, 2006 10:19 PM