SimonJack This movie gets its title from the Rodgers and Hammerstein song of the same title in the 1944 musical, "The King and I." After this film's success, Hollywood had to make an American version, somewhat altered. That 2004 film starred Richard Gere but it didn't come across as beautifully as this Japanese film. What sets this movie apart is its anti-cultural context for the Japanese. In the opening lines, the male star points this out. The Japanese culture doesn't show physical closeness or affection even between husband and wife. Thus, couples dancing together is taboo – for respectable people. As the opening credits end, Koji Yakusho (who plays Mr. Sugiyama) says that ballroom dancing, after all, is an English sport. With that knowledge in hand, the viewer can appreciate all the more Sugiyama's efforts to hide his dance lessons. Of course, he has another reason for hiding them from his wife. And, this film does a very good job of showing the awkwardness and difficulty of the Japanese to learn to dance – especially the men. Couples dancing truly has been foreign to their culture. Individual and group dancing on stage is not the same thing. The entire cast is quite good in this film. It's an entertaining look at commuting work life in Tokyo as well – at least for the higher salaried workforce. The subtitles are easy to follow in this movie.

gorgonite Masayuki Suo has produced a melodramatic story set in Japan that features ballroom dancing. Neither would particularly appeal however the film is elevated by a combination of depth, comedy featuring Aoki San and scenes shot in Blackpool! The most impressive aspect of this movie is how all of the characters come to life. Nearly 15 years after its release, its only now that I have had the pleasure of seeing it.The story focuses on a man undergoing a mid-life crisis who spontaneously takes up ballroom dancing. The film proceeds to follow the characters who make up the dance class.I am sometimes amazed how we can interpret characters in a film just by their physical appearance. For example Tamako Sensei is the forgiving type of person that she appears! Also Macho is the sleazy type of dancer that he appears! They wouldn't need to do or say anything and I would still conclude the same.Pros - Every single thing plus Aoki SanCons - The score is occasionally heavy handedOverall - 11 out of 10

kyrat A nice glimpse into Japanese culture and how they can be more reserved than us (at least in terms of physical contact) and cross-gender contact.I thought the actors, including the supporting cast were fantastic. I was a little worried about the focus of the movie as it started out w/ his boredom & attraction to Mai. Obviously the main character was the focus but I even felt for his wife and really enjoyed the scenes with the older dancing teacher and the private eye. As others have mentioned, Aoki steals the show whenever he's on camera. In general I enjoyed the film for the character growth - not for any particular scene. I was happy to see that this wasn't a "romance" movie, but something much better than a trite rehash of overdone plots.P.S. I'd like to respond to an earlier post. Shall We Dance (1937) w/ Rogers & Astaire is a completely different movie. It's a musical with a completely different plot. Just 'cuz the name's the same - doesn't mean it's the same movie!

olgaryabaya Have you ever danced? For most the simple answer is yes, and then of course we each like to add either our stories or explanations. For women these stories are usually pleasant, either their first dance at school, or they actually had dance training when they were younger. But for men, the tables turn. If they had ever danced, they usually say they were forced into it, that it was "only for a little while" or that they simply hated it. We all know that dancing cannot possibly be that horrendous or painful, then why do so many men find it necessary to cover-up their dancing, especially if it was out of personal interest. Now, imagine yourself in a society where dance is socially forbidden, not in any shape or form, not between husband and wife and most definitely not out of personal interest. It is considered shameful, embarrassing – but it is an escape, a way to enter an alternate universe of your life in a split second, would you do it? What if dancing forced you into secrecy and as hard as you tried to deny it, it became your passion. Would you let dancing go because of society or would you keep it close to your heart forever, if your heart deems it necessary?Mr. Sugiyama was a successful Japanese businessman, a "salary-man" who stayed late at work and went out with co-workers afterward, a custom necessary for your success within a company. Usually coming home late, he knew that tomorrow was going to be the same as the day before and the 20th day from now; his life has been set for him. On the train on the way back home he notices a young woman looking out a window on the top floor of a building. She catches his attention immediately and after many debates with himself, over several days, he decides to come see her, only to find out it is a dancing establishment. He gives it a chance nonetheless, and once he finds Mr. Aoki, a fellow co-worker, hiding behind a wig at this same establishment, he starts to gain confidence and awareness that maybe it is alright to enjoy dance. He becomes engrossed in it, disciplining every aspect of his dancing whether on the train or even at work, and dance gives life to him, showing in simply the way he rides his bike. Yet Mai, the woman who first caught his attention and an instructor within the school, has seemed to lose this passion that he just found for dance. It takes one dancing competition, in which Mr. Sugiyama participates and Mai instructs him, for both of them to face their fears, define their personal meaning of dance, and determine what is truly important and necessary in their lives. Maybe not everyone can relate to dancing, but there may be something that each of us has in our hearts to do that we are simply forbidden. Moreover, I believe this picture correctly portrays the passions of humankind, the lack thereof, and the effects of both on the human being. The director allows us to see Mr. Sugiyama's transformation, how Mr. Sugiyama first develops his passion for dance showing no longer just at the dance school, but everywhere else, at work and at home. In contrast, the director shows Mai, an almost stoic woman who has this opportunity to dance and yet it no longer brings life to her. The acting is wonderful and we are left wondering what it is that happened to her and whether Mr. Sugiyama will continue to dance. However, something seems to be missing in this film. I believe the director could have given more life to the picture itself, especially when representing something so expressive as dance. It may be that factor that I have danced before, but other than some short scenes at the beginning or end, this picture lacked an artistic aspect to give life to the passions of those involved. There is only so much that a storyline and acting can provide, and the artistic element fills in the vacancies. For me, the director failed to do so, both within the dance studio and during the competitions.