A dancer loses her partner

Haru and her husband Luis danced competitively in Tokyo until his death. Nine months later, grief has left her unable to dance or see friends.

A new instructor sparks desire

When Haru returns to dance class, instructor Fedir catches her eye. He's handsome and talented, and offers a glimpse of fresh possibilities.

A dream ballet becomes real

After drunken men jostle Haru on the street, Fedir defends her in a choreographed bachata sequence that becomes a metaphor for rejoining life.

Haru and Fedir become lovers

Their two tender hookups end when Fedir's wife arrives. Haru realizes she has uncontrollable feelings for a man she cannot have.

Kikuchi captures the messy middle

The actress shifts between deadened sorrow and artificial exhilaration, then anger and jealousy. She shows a woman totally lost, trying to remember who she was.

Moving forward means becoming new

Haru realizes there's no going back to her old life. She must become a new person, encompassing her old memories, and finds her way back to music and dance.

“she realizes there's no going back”