Hollywood, more concerned than ever to release something completely original for fear that it may fail, has now delivered Shall We Dance?, based on the successful, critically acclaimed 1996 film of the same name from Japan. The story is basically the same, too: A bored, overworked office worker finds happiness taking dance lessons, an activity he never imagined he’d ever take part in. In turn, he becomes inspired, and he inspires those around him.

This Americanized-for-the-multiplexes version stars Richard Gere, who, on schedule every few years, slides back into the romantic-lead role that we first saw him do in Pretty Woman. Playing opposite him this time is, surprisingly, not Julia Roberts; instead, it’s Jennifer Lopez, whom I used to look forward to seeing in films, but don't so much anymore. Lopez was once an up-and-coming actress of considerable talent, with a resume that included some fairly impressive films, such as Blood and Wine, Selena, U Turn, The Cell and Out of Sight. Today, though, she’s not just an actress; she’s the industry known as J.Lo, and she no longer seems interested in making good films. Rather, since becoming a superstar, Lopez has made consistently cheesy, lightweight films that try to convince us that despite the money, fame and divorces, she’s still just "Jenny from the block." Yeah right. In Shall We Dance?, Lopez plays Paulina, a beautiful but troubled dance instructor whose looks bring Gere’s John Clark character to the school in the first place. Finally, there’s Susan Sarandon, who plays Beverly Clark, John’s wife.

While Shall We Dance? doesn’t measure up to the original (remakes and sequels never do), it’s still a good film, for a few key reasons. First, it’s based on an already successful film that has an interesting story. The formula is there, and that, obviously, is why Hollywood picked it up. The second is Richard Gere, who can usually sleepwalk through roles such as this one, but doesn’t here. Gere plays his character with depth and feeling, something that he doesn’t always do. Too many times I’ve seen his acting look like that of a robot on cue. The third is Susan Sarandon, who does an admirable job as Gere's wife. Despite the good story-line, without these two fine actors, the film would have flopped. Both Gere and Sarandon are veterans who are now willing to take parts that reflect their ages. They’re not young anymore, and their roles in Shall We Dance? use that to advantage.

Shall We Dance? isn’t just predictable, lightweight entertainment where boy sees girl, boy meets girls, boy loses girls, and then boy wins girl back when he realizes that he made a mistake, that she’s changed his life for the better because he’s learned a new way to live. Instead, Shall We Dance? is surprisingly restrained and has an ending that, I think, will surprise most people if they don’t know the story-line coming in. For those who aren't familiar with the Japanese film and will likely never see it, Shall We Dance? will be a big hit for the fall season, which is precisely why Hollywood remade it.

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