Reel Brother Bites: “Shall We Dance?" (1996)

Shall We Dance? (Japanese title: "Shall we ダンス?")
(1996)
in Japan, the life of the "salary man" is cold, robotic, and sucks the life out of any ordinary human. But, two unsuspecting coworkers discover that learning to dance is the same as learning to live again. This original Japanese version is better than the 2004 remake because it is simple, heartwarming, and life-affirming in that it awakens whatever passions might have been locked away in your heart because of the boring, daily routines that we all must endure. Do yourself a favor and see this incredibly sweet Japanese film.
Synopsis:
Successful middle-aged accountant Shohei Sugiyama (Koji Yakusho) has a loving wife (Hideko Hara) and a beautiful daughter, but for some reason feels unfulfilled with his life. One night, while riding his commuter train home, Sugiyama spies a beautiful woman, Mai Kishikawa (Tamiyo Kusakari), dancing in a window. Entranced by her beauty, Sugiyama tracks the woman to her dance studio and signs up for ballroom dance lessons in hopes of reinvigorating his mundane existence.