It has been my experience that Japanese comedy does not, in general, translate well for U.S. audiences. Not that there's anything wrong with it . . . but more often than not, we just don't seem to get it.
However, "Shall We Dance?" is an exception. Perhaps because this is more low-key and whimsical than the kind of rowdy, class-clash comedy we've often received. Or perhaps we can simply identify better with the central character, whose plight can be taken literally or metaphorically.
The story is quite simple. Shohei Sugiyama (Koji Yakusho), a 40ish businessman who has recently moved his family to the suburbs, is feeling a bit low. Midlife crisis? Stuck in a rut? He's not sure, but his wife and daughter are beginning to notice that he isn't very happy these days.
One night after work, while he's waiting on a platform for his commuter train, Sugiyama looks up and sees a beautiful young woman, Mai Kishikawa (Tamiyo Kusakari), staring out of the fourth-floor window of a rundown building. She's in a dance studio, and Sugiyama is drawn to her, though he's not sure why.
It takes a while for him to get the courage to make his move, but eventually he does — only to find that she's a private teacher, and he can only afford group lessons. So, reluctantly at first, he begins ballroom dancing lessons on the sly.
To American audiences this may seem like no big deal, but apparently in Japan ballroom dancing is frowned upon as another vulgar, low-culture import from the West — especially for men.
Sugiyama is still fascinated by the sad young woman he watches from afar, but soon he is so engrossed in practicing his dance steps that it becomes by far the more important motivator. And there are nice little moments that show him practicing while sitting at his computer, while waiting for his train, etc.
Eventually, he will have to decide whether to take part in the climactic ballroom dance competition, and, of course, he must face his wife about this new secret passion. (Their scenes together are especially touching.)
Simple, graceful, utterly enchanting, "Shall We Dance?" is one of those movies that sneaks up on you. Characters who at first seem ridiculous become quite ingratiating, the comedy is sly and subtle and as warm as it is funny, and audiences may find themselves swept up in the story before they know it.
There's a lot going on beneath the surface of "Shall We Dance?" with these rich, humorous, somewhat tragic characters. And Yakusho, whose marvelous performance is at the film's core, generally plays straight-man to those around him. He also conveys a depth of feeling that will make audiences care a great deal about his character.
"Shall We Dance?" is a delightful surprise and a film that even non-foreign-film buffs can appreciate.
It is rated PG for a couple of mildly vulgar moments.