The great thing about this movie, and what I believe is true for everyone in every nation, is that everyone needs a passion that has absolutely nothing to do with their job or any of the skills required for it. Something to do just for the sake of enjoying yourself. As his coworker and fellow dance fanatic Aoki says, it makes him feel free.

The fact that they have to hide their hobby at work is hilarious. Aoki says their improved posture is a dead giveaway. They are caught ballroom dancing in the men's room so Sugiyama pretends he has just fainted and Aoki happened to catch him.

Humorous with a message, this is a great flick.

"Shall We Dance?": The Consummate Perfection of Beauty (Rating: 5.00)
Review : "Shall We Dance?" is my favorite film of all time! Is that saying too much? No!! I'm a great admirer of Japan and Japanese culture, but I was caught totally unaware when I walked into the theater to see this movie. I ended up coming back 15 times, and was only stopped from seeing it again because the theatrical run ended. Then luckily, the movie came out on LaserDisc(not DVD), so I could watch it in better quality video at home. I also have the VHS for my bedroom VCR. The movie translates very well into home video--probably because it's such a warm and sweet-hearted movie. I can't think of another movie that approaches this one for pure ethereal beauty and pure enjoyment. The music is also so great. I won't give anything away but the music is a big part of the success of this movie, but in a very subtle way. I also love without reservation every actor in the film, and every character. From the beautiful, graceful lovely Mai and elegant Sugiyama-san, to Donny Burns-Latin Champ-impersonator Aoki-san and ballroom terror Toyoko-san, and warm hearted Tamako-sensei, you have to love the entire cast of characters. Also, the cinematography is out of this world, capturing the flow of ballroom excitement and beauty and also wistful scenes of Tokyo at night (make sure you watch the entire sequence of the exquisite closing credits at the end). Director and screenwriter Masayuki Suo deserves an honorary Academy Award for this creation of supreme perfection. I encourage you to go to the Amazon.com DVD page for this film and vote to make it available on disc--(it's a national tragedy that this film is not yet available in digital format). I guarantee you won't be sorry to buy this video, and you'll join the thousands of Americans clamoring for its release on DVD. Here's to discovering a priceless gem, and here's to love!

Save the Last Dance for me!! (Rating: 5.00)
Review : This is a clever late 90's Japanese film with English subtitles about ballroom dance lessons. No, this isn't your Arthur Murray dance studio. The subtitles are very easy to read and clearly defined. The cast is a memorable diverse, intriguing, group of characters taking dance lessons.

Since the Japanese are reserved about public intimacy, dance lessons are of a clandestine nature. The consensus here is that men are considered losers if they take dance lessons or lessons are just a reason to hold a woman in your arms.

The story focus is on Mr. Shugiyama, an overworked middle-aged man with a wife, daughter at home. From his commute, he spots a beautiful woman in a window as she teaches her students dance steps.

His intention is to meet the girl, but she blatantly tells him that she takes this serious and if he is there just to meet her, then he should not take lessons. She adamantly informs him that this is a classroom, not a disco. To "save face", he hangs in there and learns to dance rather than become a failure.

The array of characters:
A balding, quirky, Mr. Aoki, has been dancing for five years, he wears a long frizzy wig piled loosely on his head because he believes the wig gives him inspiration to be like his idol, Donny Burns, a Latin dance king. While he dances, he gives these funny facial movements that equate with his suave, cool, bawdy dance numbers. He comes across like a combination Don Juan and Madonna striking a pose! He is known to dance "creepy."

An extremely shy and reserved heavy-set man with thick glasses gets his fulfillment learning to dance. He becomes alive once he learns the steps.

Also, an abrasive dance instructor who isn't afraid to spew her insults when needed and she trades verbal jabs with the male customers.

As the movie reaches the climax, a number of dance halls and amateur dance contests are held.

An unusual treat is the Drifter's song "Save the Last Dance For Me." It is the only English lyrical song, quite fitting for the occasion. This movie is a gem, full of humor and silliness. See it!......MzRizz.

Gai-jin rates Shall We Dance as Ichi-ban (number one) Movie (Rating: 5.00)
Review : I first saw Shall We Dance? on the big screen and was captivated by its storyline and cast of characters. I felt then, as I do now, that this was a film out of the ordinary. Viewers can relate to the various personalities and their dreams or desires. Because I am an expatriate living in Japan, I enjoyed the glimpse into the daily lives of my neighbors. Ichi-ban movie...a heart-warming story that you won't get tired watching over and over again. It needs to come on DVD a.s.a.p.

Not on DVD until Miramax makes its $... (Rating: 5.00)
Review : This movie is incredible. It works on so many levels. Critics and the public agree that this is a great film, so why isn't it on DVD. The reason why, it's such a great film that Hollywood is stealing it and remaking it with of all people Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere. The Hollywood machine, therefore, will not release the original on DVD until they release the remake for home consumption. I hate to have to be the one to tell them but it's not going to work. It may do well, but they are going to have to change the ending to get it work here which is going to make it a totally diifferent film. In the intro to the film, the narrator explains a cultural nuance that is germaine to the story. That same nuance just doesn't exist in America. It going to be like remaking Saalam Bombay in Beverly Hills.

"Shall We Dansu?"-great story and cast! (Rating: 5.00)
Review : This has to be the best Japanese movie I've ever seen and my all time favorite! It's the story of a 40 something year-old salaryman who, after seemingly attaining all his goals in life, a wife and child, a company position with a bright future and a new house, begins to ponder if there's more to life than just the "9 to 5" grind and mortgage payments. During his train rides home from work, he notices a beautiful young woman standing in front of the window of a dance school. What happens after that might seem obvious, but me believe it's not...Even if you don't understand one word of Japanese, the subtitled version, like the touching story are so well written, that you'll want to watch it over and over again. I hope the rumors of this movie coming out in U.S. theatres are true because it's sure to be a hit, until then i'll be waiting for this one on DVD! Aoki-san Gambatte!

Shall we get it on DVD? (Rating: 5.00)
Review : 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...