Tongue in cheek

Shall We Dance Starring: Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez Director: Peter Chelsom Rated: PG-13

After 19 years of marriage, John Clark (Richard Gere), an outwardly content accountant, decides he is missing something in his life. While traveling home one day, he spots the beautifully exotic but distressed Paulina (Jennifer Lopez) in a ballroom dance studio window and decides, on a whim, to sign up for lessons. He begins class that day alongside Chic (Bobby Canavale) and Vern (Omar Miller). In due course, John's attraction to Paulina diminishes, but his uncanny love of dance intensifies. Still, John's wife, Beverly (Susan Sarandon), suspects he is having an affair because of his unusual hours, and hires a detective.

In this tongue-in-cheek film, the supporting cast comes close to stealing the spotlight from the leads. Each character, animated and amusing, brings comedy to the movie. From the homosexual pretending to learn to dance in order to impress women to the obese man practicing for his wedding, the laughter never ceases. Shall We Dance is a sweet romantic story, perfect for a date, maybe even for a tear or two. Still, it is nothing more than an hour and a half of enjoyable, lighthearted entertainment.

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