Shall We Dance? (1996)
|
List Price: Our Price: $11.36 You Save: $8.62 (43%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Shall We Dance? (1996)
Movie Review: One of the Best Movies...Ever
Summary: 5 Stars
A Salaryman is looking for excitement in his life and signs up for ballroom dancing, a sort-of taboo in Japan. Many moments of hilarity, a few sad times, and a bittersweet ending all add up to make this one of the finest films of all time. A splendid cast and a wonderful screenplay. I have seen references to a longer version but I have never encountered such. My current copy is a 118 minute Hong Kong version, only because I have purchased and given away umpteen copies of this edition until it went out of print. Then I turned to [...] in Mayasia. Now this is back again. Buy it, watch it, watch it again,and again, again...Kôji Yakusho stars as our hapless salaryman who learns to dance. I first encountered him as the man in the white suit, the Yakusa in Juzo Itami's extraordinary film, Tampopo. Movies like "Shall We Dance" don't come along very often. Usually crimes like the American version are committed. If the title is "Shall We Dance" and the star is Richard Gere, say, "No thank you." And if anyone knows where to find the fabled long version, please post here, unless it is the $45 Japanese edition. Too expensive for the likes of me. Now, Maestro, strike up the band. Gentlemen, bow to your partner, and...Shall We Dance?Movie Review: Hilarious and touching movie, awesome!
Summary: 5 Stars
I drove 30 minutes to a nearby city to buy this DVD, because I wanted it immediately ($19). I watched this movie for the first time from a small independent film playing theatre. I later bought the VHS tape and had been waiting patiently for the official DVD release.
The difference between this Japanese version and the American remake version is that the actors are a lot more believeable in the Japanese version. The story is wonderful, because the story fits the Asian culture.
I have to admit I did not watch the English version of Shall We Dance? starring Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez. Although, I have to say I do not know the Japanese actors as well as I know about the American actors (Richard/Jennifer). This gives me some what a pre-defined expectation about these American actors.
I am sure it is not as big of a deal for men to be learning ball room dancing in the United States versus what it must have meant to men in Japan many years back. I am sure I will watch the American version of Shall We Dance? some day. :-)
This is just a touching and warm heart-felt movie that everyone who enjoys music mixed with funny entertainment. 5 STARS!!
Movie Review: Made me smile
Summary: 5 Stars
A tired salaryman (Koji Yakusho), oppressed by the burden of overwork necessary to support his family and pay his mortgage, rekindles his joy for life through dancing lessons and the lovable eccentrics he meets there. The hook that draws him in is a mysterious, beautiful woman (Tamiyo Kusakari) who gazes sadly out the window of the dance studio each evening.
This Japanese film inspired the recent American remake with Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez. That film has its own charms, but this story really works better in its original context. The overworked, suffocating salaryman living his life of quiet desperation is a familiar figure to the Japanese, whose preoccupation with respectability and conformity can weigh heavily on those seeking professional acceptance and success. As his initial attraction to the woman transfers to a genuine love for dance, Yakusho shows us a man who blossoms before our eyes as his renewed confidence and sense of joy begins to improve every aspect of his life, including family and work. Comedian Naoto Takenaka provides a memorable supporting role as the brave, somewhat tragic, and completely spastic Aoki.
Movie Review: Shall we dance? Yes, again and again.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a review of the Japanese version of "Shall We Dance." This is one of the very best movies I have ever seen. It's good social satire and heartwarming without being dopy. The acting is sensational, and it is often sidesplittingly funny. "Shall We Dance" offers informative satirical insights into modern Japanese culture such as self-conscious shyness, subjugation of the individual to workaholic values, and inflexible gender roles, through a clever screenplay marvelously directed and performed. The script and plot are tight and it is almost impossible to stand outside the story. While the westerner with no experience in Japan will find the movie enjoyable, the depth of the social satire and irony will appeal to anyone who has even a superficial understanding of modern Japanese culture. In my opinion this is the best Japanese film since "A Taxing Woman." It stands shoulder to shoulder with "Tampopo" for its poingnacy and insight into Japan as well as the human condition. It is truly unfortunate that this movie has not been released in DVD format.Movie Review: Shall We DVD?
Summary: 5 Stars
Since this movie is one that I could easily watch over and over, I have been waiting for it to come out on DVD. You don't have to know anything about ballroom dancing to enjoy it; it's simply a story of breaking out of the day-to-day drabness and doing something you love.I have several favorite characters in the movie; one is the private detective who's hired by the main character's wife to find out where he's been going at night. The private eye is all business at first, but after tailing his client's husband, he slowly gets drawn into the world of competitive dancing. The other is the shy, overweight, diabetic young man who takes up dancing on his doctor's orders to get some exercise. The scene where he bursts into tears, asking, "Am I really so terrible?" (I forget the exact words) had me in tears myself. The change in this character by the end of the film is amazing.
It's a cliché, but this is a true "feel good" movie, and proof that you don't have to have sex, profanity, and violence to have an engrossing adult film.