Review: 'Shall We Dance' Is Spicy Mambo

'Shall We Dance' (PG-13) (out of four popcorns)

"Shall We Dance" just may start filling up dance schools again.

The film, starring Jennifer Lopez, Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon, is a sweet and saucy little number about finding -- or recovering -- the joy in your life.

Gere plays John Clark, a Chicago lawyer who has everything he could want. He is successful, has a successful and beautiful wife (Sarandon) and a daughter he adores. But, somehow, he feels that something is missing.

One night on the way home on the El train, John spies a profoundly sad beauty gazing out the window of Miss Mitzi's Dance Studio.

After several nights of seeing her in the window and seeing snippets of people joyfully learning to dance, he hops off the El and starts up the stairs -- not exactly sure what he is doing.

He gets roped into taking weekly ballroom dancing lessons and finds that he really enjoys it. Dancing makes him happy -- even giddy. The classes also give him a chance to understand the story of the sad Paulina (Lopez), a dance instructor who is stiffly going through the motions after a devastating breakup with her partner in dance and in love.

"Shall We Dance" is the type of film that leaves you walking out of the theatre smiling and humming the songs. It may not appeal to a teen audience, but for anyone else it is a delight through and through.

The only possible weak link is Lopez. She tries so hard to show a stoic and emotionally unavailable dancer that she is extremely stiff. But once she starts dancing, Lopez' special magic shows through and you are swept away by the beauty of her movement.

I can't say enough about Gere. He established himself in dramas, but his switch to comedy has made him adorably irresistable. That wide smile, twinkle in his eye and willingness to look silly when needed are a powerful combination. Gere and Sarandon use their considerable acting chops to forge a wonderfully warm, yet realistic portrayal of a husband and wife at a pivotal time in their lives.

"Shall We Dance" could have been a pretty sappy affair if it weren't for the comic relief of Lisa Ann Walter and Stanley Tucci. They are fearlessly funny in playing two ballroom dancing fanatics who live for the dance. Physically, they aren't your typical competitive dancers, but their sheer enthusiasm and inventive comic timing makes you want to root for them to be winners. Tucci is especially funny as one of John's co-workers who hides his obsession with the dance under a long wig, tight-fitting pants and sequined shirts after work hours.

Even the supporting players add to the joy of the film -- Bobby Cannavale is delightfully dorky as a macho man who thinks he is just taking dancing lessons to get chicks. Omar Miller is a large man who is surprisingly light on his feet, but who is covering up his insecurities. And, finally, Anita Gillette is absolutely perfect as Miss Mitzi, the lush of a proprietor of the dance studio. When she and Gere take to the dance floor with the title song -- "Shall We Dance" -- it is a beautiful thing to behold.

"Shall We Dance" is one of the best romantic comedies of the year. If you don't find yourself dancing into the theatre, you probably will on your way out.