Peter was recently in Chicago to promote the film. When I told him the 1996 Japanese version, upon which this film is based, was my # 1 all time film he smiled broadly and said, "Oops…that puts us in a very precarious position!"

George: I went to the screening very skeptical about anyone being able to create the aura of the Japanese film. I said to Pam before the screening that if the film were done in such a way that I cared about the supporting cast, I would embrace the movie. I was hooked when the supporting cast came through, especially the unknowns such as Lisa Ann Walter and Omar Benson Miller. Stanley Tucci was surprisingly funny and Susan Sarandon displayed a sexiness that all women over 40 will be proud of. The movie is not just about Gere and Lopez, but all of us. What did you and your casting director do to make everything come together?

Peter: People tend to be surprised by how much of an ensemble piece it is. Jennifer slides in and out of the film. Part of the heart of the film is that the dance studio is kind of a boot camp on life. I wanted it to be flawed normal people.

George: Did all of the actors’ do their own dancing?

Peter: Yea, there is no cheating in the film, whatsoever. Making a film like this is very draining as the stakes are so high (referring to big budget films, which seem to tank at the box office as frequently as they do well).

George: How has the film been received so far in test screenings?

Peter: We got a standing ovation in Dallas, which was a thrill! This movie gets me two films away from "Town and Country" and I nearly went down with that one.