Shall We Dance? (1996)
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Movie Reviews of Shall We Dance? (1996)
Movie Review: Certainly an unforgettable, sweet and innocent look at life
Summary: 5 Stars
Wouldn't it be wonderfull to be able to escape into a world where no one knows you and you are able to freely express your most secret desires ....
The hero in this film actually manages to do just that when after years and years ... day sfter day his subway train appses by a dance studio and he gets to see a young lithe girl standing whistfully at the window looking into the night .... as well hoping for an escape that never comes ...
Of course real life intrudes into our hero's dream world as he gently hints to his wife and kids that he likes dancing and wouldn't mind if they all went out to do that ... His family of course see him in a different light and certainly not as a dancer ....
OK the movie may depend heavily on Japanese society and conventions, but, if you look below the surface it's just basically a great great movie about everyman and pre-conceived notions ....
Movie Review: Shall we get it on DVD?
Summary: 5 Stars
Japan used to produce some of the best cinema in the world, but these days, the good films can be few and far between. Shall We Dance is one of the best ever. Sure, it's a bit light, a bit silly, but all in a good way. As another reviewer wrote, it's also a rare realistic look at modern Japanese life. Even the oddest characters in the film are really the kind of folks you can meet here--for many people, the more you have to conform in public, the more eccentric you become in private.This film is also rare in that it can be enjoyed by the whole family without being brainless and boring for adults. I gave my VHS copy to my born-again brother in America; he's very careful about what his children watch, and they love watching this movie together. It's one of the very few Japanese films I can share with them. I only regret that I didn't check first to see if it is available on DVD! Now I'll just have to wait...
Movie Review: Don't Bother With the American Version!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you have come upon this page by mistake, when you are actually looking for the American version of this moive, go no further!
While the American version is a pretty good movie, when compared to other American movies (mostly crap), the original (even though it is subtitled) is a far superior movie.
I have only seen a couple of subtitled movies and I have watched Shall We Dance so many times, that I no longer need to read the subtitles - I know the scenes and can simply watch the visual aspect of the movie.
I can only add to the many other 5-star ratings that I found this to be a funny and touching movie and that the story, characters, acting, and technical aspects put this movie in the classic category. Very well done and very enjoyable.
If you haven't seen the Japanese version of Shall We Dance then you haven't seen the movie at all!
Movie Review: International Version
Summary: 5 Stars
For years, I've loved this movie, but recently discovered that this version is the "International Version," cut to 118 mins, from it's original 136 min. original version. Apparently, Director Suo was told by Miramax that a foreign movie over two hours wouldn't be popular. :<
Overall, Director Suo has done a wonderful job re-editing this for an international audience, and I like the opening narration much better than the Japanese one.
Although snippets of character interactions have been deleted, it doesn't hurt the film. Also, the American price of $20 for the DVD vs. $45 for the Japanese version doesn't hurt either.
One sore point of the DVD is the lack of any special features, like original movie trailers, or some of the extras on the Japanese disc (a deleted scenes music video, interviews, etc.).
Movie Review: Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
<gush> One of my favorite movies. It was remade for American cinema, but really the Japanese version cannot be remade. It is more a movie about Japanese culture than about dancing per se. Taking this film out of the Japanese context loses 95% of what the film is about. If you saw the American version and liked it - or more importantly if you saw the Americanized version and didn't like it - watch the original. (The same advice applies to the Britcom "Coupling".)
That said, you must watch this movie. Aoki is wonderful. You'll know what that means after you see the movie. This is a funny, non-violent, endearing movie which includes quite a bit of ballroom dance. The characters are intriguing.
If you buy it and don't like it... well.... send me your copy, I love it. I can always use an extra.
Enjoy.