The late Don Knotts was known for his milquetoast characters from Barney Fife to his Mr. Limpet who finds courage as a fish. There is something whimsical about the scene between Saradon and Gere, as they dance together in the kitchen. As a couple, they work, but perhaps it would be better in another story - one that made more emotional sense.
On the DVD, you can see the original beginning, something that worked a bit better and made the exchange John has with Paulina make more sense and yet still didn't explain why, why John took lessons without telling his wife.
Perhaps the American version of Shall We Dance? would have been more successful if it had tried to find the commonalities between America and Japan. The dancers here and there might be stars at night and yet be rather dull during the day. Perhaps someday, if Americans get over their preconceived notions of tango, they'll realize tango is not about tortured or unfufilled romantic relationships. Sometimes a dance is just a dance and the passion isn't off the floor at all or if it is on the floor, it's about the dance itself.
Someday perhaps producers, writers and directors come to an understanding that universal appeal isn't playing to all audiences and thus serving none. Someday perhaps producers, writers and directors come to an understanding that universal appeal isn't playing to all audiences and thus serving none. Being a slave to the demographics is not how masterpieces are made.
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