Let's clear up one thing: "Shall We Dance?" is NOT "Strictly Ballroom". It's what "Strictly Ballroom" wishes it were. The creators of this movie absolutely and perfectly accomplish everything they set out to do in making this movie. It is charming, likeable, and funny in a way that I think only Asian cultures can produce. The only defect in this film is that its story is ultimately cliche and somewhat trite (of course, this applies to 95% of all movies made).
The incredible awkwardness and discomfort of the main character as he enters the world of ballroom dancing in order to appease mid-life crisis is classic. The incidental characters in the dance class are appropriately humorous, and the focus is never really on the world of ballroom competition, but on the much more interesting and accessible world of human emotion and interaction.
If you don't enjoy this movie, you haven't got a sentimental bone in your body. And if you don't end up thinking about taking ballroom dance lessons, you must have been sleeping.
The incredible awkwardness and discomfort of the main character as he enters the world of ballroom dancing in order to appease mid-life crisis is classic. The incidental characters in the dance class are appropriately humorous, and the focus is never really on the world of ballroom competition, but on the much more interesting and accessible world of human emotion and interaction.
If you don't enjoy this movie, you haven't got a sentimental bone in your body. And if you don't end up thinking about taking ballroom dance lessons, you must have been sleeping.