An accountant, Sugiyama (Koji Yakusho), whose workaholic life is
beginning to wear on him spots a beautiful woman (Tamiyo Kusukari)
in a dance studio window on his daily commute and signs up for
lessons. His whole life changes due to the characters he
encounters at the studio and the way the lessons affect his family
life.
CRITIQUE
Perhaps the best thing about the release of the American remake
this year was that it will prompt more people to discover the 1996
Japanese original. The original Shall We Dance is gentle, sweet
comedy presented with good direction and performances.
Foreign films tend to alienate some viewers who don't want to take
the effort to read subtitles. Many entertaining films will be missed
this way and Shall We Dance? is one of them. The remake follows the
scenes pretty much exactly, with most changes near the film's end, but
there is something simply more literate about this film. For example,
it begins with a quote from Shakespeare: "Bid me discourse, I will
enchant thine ear." There is a stronger delineation of the Mr. Aoki
character as an outsider in the office where he and Mr. Sugiyama work,
as well. Check out the way he walks through the office.
Also, there is more of an emphasis on romance between Sugiyama and
the dance teacher, Mai, though because he is happily married, we know
that will fade out. I like that this is emphasized with a sweet scene
late in the film where Sugiyama teaches his wife to dance at his
daughter's request, which is not seen in the American remake.
The direction of Suo is a highlight due to his shot variety and
nice staging. There are no out of place camera angles or movements and
there are a couple of outstanding examples of composition here,
especially in the final shot featuring a large group of couples
swirling in sync around a dance floor. It's a beautiful moment. Suo
has also guided some nice costuming and a good soundtrack, including
an American song "Save the Last Dance." He is also careful to
establish the taboo against dance in Japan
with an opening voice-over and then begins the film with a notable
shot of a water puddle being stepped in, then a slow pan up.
The performers here are appealing. Yakusho is believable as a
normal man who simply wants something more but does his duty. Kusukari
is good as well and I really like Takenaka as Aoki, who's just funny
and joyful on the dance floor. All these things do make Shall We
Dance? enchanting to the eye as well as the ear.
THE VIDEO
The nice theatrical visuals make it to the widescreen format here
just fine.
THE AUDIO
The good music here is presented in Dolby Digital Surround well,
though the English subtitles are kind of necessary if you don't speak
Japanese. There are also French and Spanish subtitles.
THE EXTRAS
A Look
at Shall We Dance 2004:
This is clearly a studio featurette designed to sell the American
remake and features interviews, behind the scenes footage and clips
from the film. If you watch the extras on the DVD for that film, you
will have seen all this before. The disc features no other extras, not
even the trailer for this Japanese original.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Shall
We Dance
is a heart-warming, entertaining story with a script and direction
that mostly exceeds the American remake. If you like dance, Japan, or
eccentric characters, or all three, see this film. It will be well
worth it, especially if you don't mind subtitles. The DVD has no real
extras to speak of but the film is a draw enough on its own.
