Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
Peter Chelsom is a damn fine filmmaker. Anyone with FUNNY BONES and THE MIGHTY on his filmography can be forgiven a TOWN & COUNTRY or a SERENDIPITY. Here’s hoping he’s actually made something worthwhile in this remake of a very sweet Japanese movie from several years back. Because of Chelsom, I’m not going to indulge the fanboy-kneejerk “J-Lo” reaction that I know the Talkback is going to be full of. I’m more interested in how Stanley Tucci and Susan Sarandon and the rest of the supporting cast do. Let’s see...
Dear Harry -
This is the first time I submit a movie review to your website. I haven't seen one for "Shall We Dance?" nor do I know if your audience even cares but here it goes just in case:
The only reason I went to see "Shall We Dance?" is because it was free.
Really.
That was it.
I had heard of the original Japanese version of the movie but had not seen it.
My expectations for this movie were low, bottom of the barrel.
I hate Jennifer Lopez with a vengeance and I thought I would just get a laugh at how horrendous this movie would be.
I also knew that because it was a free movie pass, chances were I would have to critique it at the end by filling out the usual questionnaire.
This was going to be the best part of the entire experience.
I would have the opportunity to slam J.Lo!
I guess it's always good when expectations are set low, because once in a while a movie will surprise you.
I love Richard Gere.
I love Susan Sarandon.
I love Stanley Tucci.
All three were very good in this movie. Tucci and Sarandon shone the brightest by far.
Any scene with Tucci in it would have laughing out loud. He literally stole the show.
Sarandon was a little underused but that's understandable.
It is clearly Gere's movie. No one else's. Not even J.Lo's who can't emote for the life of her.
She's supposed to be all heartbroken and sad and melacholic and yet she's just lifeless and wooden and dry.
You would think that after having her heart broken by Affleck, she could reflect on her own life and bring some of that heartbreak to the screen.
Not so.
She has no chemistry with Gere whatsoever.
She spends 99% of her scenes crying or standing by the window (which I guess must be her way of showing longing) or crying WHILE standing by the window.
I am happy to say that Gere and Sarandon had way more chemistry than he did with J.Lo. Which is good. Since they play husband and wife.
It is unfortunate that J.Lo was cast in this role. She was cleary the wrong actress. They didn't really need such a big name star for that role. They had plenty with Gere, Tucci and Sarandon.
Thankfully it's a small part but it's very presence in the movie which annoyed not only me but many of the moviegoers at the theater. An unknown actress would have been much better.
Less obstrusive. More poignant.
But J.Lo messed it up.
I am sure she got the part because of her dancing skills which were better served in "The Wedding Planner" than here.
The director made several attempts at luring the audience into falling in love with J.Lo by showing her dancing in front of the mirror as if that would make us all ga-ga over her.
Must have been the same approach the director had in "Gigli" with the yoga scene which was (from what I hear since I haven't seen it) the best part in that horrendous movie.
Overall it was an enjoyable movie if you are able to ignore J.Lo and pretend she ever existed.
If they cut out her parts, the movie would be much better.
Of course, I didn't see the final version of the movie. They may make changes to it after the results of the screen test come in.
But if you do decide to watch it, pay close attention to the scene with Sarandon and the detective in the bar.
It is by far one of the best scenes in the movie and Sarandon nails it with the grace and style she's known for.
thanks,
marley angel
See what I mean? Jennifer Lopez has become an albatross to any filmmaker at this point, and it’s a shame. Studios will keep casting her, and filmmakers are going to have to work overtime to get people to look past her to see the film itself. When this much animosity builds up towards a movie star, it can be hard to overcome.
Otherwise, sounded like you enjoyed it. Thanks for the review.
"Moriarty" out.
