I've not seen the popular Japanese movie which "Shall We Dance" from 2004 is a remake of, but the fact it became a hit and Hollywood decided to remake it suggests to me that it was very good. And although I haven't seen it I am pretty sure it must have been a whole lot better that "Shall We Dance" the Hollywood version which whilst not dire is nothing more than average. And the simple reason is why "Shall We Dance" is average is because it hasn't got a heart and so whilst the storyline is good and the soundtrack is brilliant it ends up a case of actors going through their paces.

John Clark (Richard Gere - Unfaithful) may have a happy enough life, he has a good job and a loving wife and family but his routine existence is getting him down. So one day on the train home from work he gets off and enlists at Miss Mitzi's (Anita Gillette) dance school, not because he is that interested in learning to dance but he is intrigued by pretty Paulina (Jennifer Lopez - Maid in Manhattan) who every night as he passes has seen staring longingly out of the studios window. But whilst John may have signed up to find out more about Paulina he falls in love with dancing, something he keeps secret from his wife who becomes suspicious when she notices his mood has changed.

The actual storyline to "Shall We Dance" is surprisingly good for the simple reason it actually builds up the various elements rather than plonking things together which is far too often the case. What I mean is that when we meet John Clark he is happily married and we presume successful at his job but it is very obvious that life's mundane ways have gotten him down and he is feeling the need to shake things up. It gives the reason why he would even think of getting off the train to go to the dance school where he sees the pretty young woman staring longingly from the window when ever he goes past. But then it brings in this under current that is he going to the dance school because he wants a change or he wants an affair with the pretty young woman.

Now in many movies there wouldn't be a lot more to it than this but "Shall We Dance" continues to evolve as we watch John fall in love with dancing whilst his wife becomes suspicious. And then there are the friendships which form especially between John and Link, his co-worker and secret dancer. Plus there continues to be this ambiguity of feelings between John and Paulina the pretty dance instructor. To put it simply the storyline is well constructed and whilst certain things can be expected it evolves nicely.

What is also nice is the various moments of humour be it John's initial tentative steps into the world of dancing or the gentle humour which flits between him and his wife in their domestic situation. It's a nice blend because you have the gentle humour and then you have the more full on over the top humour and once again Stanley Tucci is a scene stealer with his enthusiastic performance as Link, with his false teeth, wig and pasted on tan. To be honest as a comedy "Shall We Dance" works, just a shame then that its heart is missing.

The trouble is that in many ways the casting is wrong when it comes to Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez, as the rest of the cast are in fact quite good and deliver the majority of the laughs. When it comes to the various dancing scenes Lopez certainly has the passion but in the countless non dancing scenes she is far too cold even for a character who we learn is heart broken. And then there is Gere who looks far too stiff through out the entire movie, in fairness you expect his character to be stiff and awkward at the start but by the end it's still the same. Not to be cruel Gere has got this handsome quality about him and it feels at times he's been cast because he can pull of the big romantic gestures and a scene which require him to show up looking dashing in a tuxedo.

What this all boils down to is that "Shall We Dance" is an entertaining movie and the blend of comedy, dancing and terrific music will entertain. But it is lacking a heart and in a way it comes from the central casting being wrong as it is all about how Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez look rather than the depth of character.