Honestly, I forgot how much I liked Richard Gere until I rewatched Shall We Dance? the other night. It’s one of those movies that sits in the "guilty pleasure" bin for a lot of people, but if you actually sit down and watch it, there is something surprisingly deep going on. We’re talking about the 2004 remake here, not the 1996 Japanese original, though the roots are clearly there. It’s got that specific mid-2000s gloss—the kind of movie where everyone’s coat looks expensive and the lighting is always just a little bit too warm.
The Shall We Dance Movie with Richard Gere: A Mid-Life Crisis on the L-Train
The premise is basically the ultimate "guy who has everything but feels nothing" trope. Richard Gere plays John Clark. He’s a probate lawyer in Chicago. He’s got the beautiful wife (Susan Sarandon), the great kids, the nice house. But he’s bored. Bored out of his mind. Every night he takes the train home, and every night he sees this woman, Paulina (Jennifer Lopez), staring out the window of a run-down dance studio.
Most guys would just keep commuting. John? He jumps off the train.
What follows isn’t some tawdry affair movie. That’s what’s kinda refreshing about it. It’s actually about a guy finding a hobby that makes him feel alive again. He signs up for ballroom dance lessons, and suddenly he’s doing the waltz in his basement at 2:00 AM.
Does Richard Gere Actually Dance?
People always ask this. Like, is it really him or a body double?
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Gere actually put in the work. He trained for months before filming started. If you look at his footwork during the quickstep or that iconic tango scene with J.Lo, that’s mostly him. He wasn't a total stranger to movement, either. Remember Chicago? He did his own tap dancing in that, which he actually said was harder than the ballroom stuff in Shall We Dance?. He told the Seattle Times back in the day that ballroom is much more "controlled" and required a different kind of discipline.
He practiced about six to eight hours a day, four times a week. That’s a lot of sweating for a guy who was already a massive star and could’ve easily used a stunt person for the wide shots.
Why the Critics Were Wrong (Sorta)
If you look at Rotten Tomatoes, the movie sits at a pretty mediocre 46%. Critics at the time called it "formulaic" and "shallow." They complained that it lost the cultural weight of the Japanese original.
In the Japanese version, the "taboo" of a businessman dancing was huge. In Japan, physical touch in public—especially in a dance setting—was seen as almost scandalous for a salaryman. When you move that story to Chicago in 2004, that cultural tension evaporates. Americans don't care if a lawyer takes a dance class.
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So, why does he keep it a secret?
That’s where the movie gets interesting. John isn't hiding a mistress; he's hiding his joy. He’s embarrassed that his perfect life isn’t enough for him. He feels guilty for needing something else. Richard Gere plays that "quiet desperation" really well. He doesn't overact. He just looks like a guy who’s tired of being "the provider" and wants to be a person again.
The Real Stars: Stanley Tucci and the Supporting Cast
Let’s be real. Stanley Tucci carries the comedy on his back. He plays Link, John’s coworker who is secretly a competitive dancer. Tucci wears this ridiculous long-haired wig and fake tan to hide his identity at the studio. It’s absurd. It’s campy. It works perfectly.
Then you’ve got Lisa Ann Walter as Bobbie. She brings this "real person" energy to the dance floor that balances out Jennifer Lopez’s more ethereal, distant Paulina. The movie isn't just about the leads; it’s about this found family of misfits in a dusty studio over a 7-Eleven.
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The Music That Made the Movie
You can't talk about the shall we dance movie with richard gere without mentioning the soundtrack. It’s iconic.
- "Sway" by The Pussycat Dolls: This was everywhere in 2004. It perfectly captured that "new-look" ballroom vibe.
- "The Book of Love" by Peter Gabriel: This plays during the big climax. If you don't get a little misty-eyed when Richard Gere shows up in his tuxedo with a single red rose, you might be a robot.
- "Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre)" by Gotan Project: This is the song for the "practice" tango between Gere and Lopez. It’s arguably the most famous scene in the film. Dark room, rain outside, pure tension.
Where to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re planning a rewatch, keep an eye on the background. The film was actually shot mostly in Winnipeg, Canada, even though it’s set in Chicago. You can see the "L-train" looks a bit different if you’re a local.
Wait for the scene where John dances by himself in the dark. It’s just Gere, a mirror, and some acoustic guitar music. It’s the most honest moment in the film because it shows that he’s not doing it for the girl or the competition. He’s doing it because he finally likes himself again.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Movie Night
If you want to enjoy this movie the right way, don't treat it like a serious drama. It’s a mood-lifter.
- Watch the 1996 original first if you want to see the "prestige" version. It’ll help you appreciate the changes they made for the Gere version.
- Pay attention to the color palette. Notice how the colors get brighter as John gets better at dancing. It’s a classic cinema trick, but it’s done really well here.
- Check out the soundtrack on Spotify. It’s a great mix of classic standards and early 2000s pop-dance that actually holds up pretty well for a workout or a cleaning session.
The movie isn't going to change your life, but it might make you want to sign up for a class or finally start that hobby you've been hiding from your spouse. Sometimes, a "formulaic" movie is exactly what you need to remind yourself that it's okay to want a little more out of your Tuesday night.