ONE NIGHT IN TOKYO

(director/writer: Joshua Woodcock; cinematographer: Joshua Woodcock; editor:
Joshua Woodcock; music: Topher Horn; cast: Reza E mamiyeh (Sam), Cailee Oliver (Becca),
Shinichiro Watanabe (Jun), Tokiko Kitagawa (Ayaka); Runtime: 95; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Brandon Russell, Griffin Scililian; VOD/Kitsune Pictures; 2024-Japan-in Japanese, English, with English subtitles)

“Decent indie romance film.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

 
Joshua Woodcock makes his debut feature in this decent indie romance film. It has fine performances from the leads, an easy to follow love story over betrayal, super visuals of the city (Woodcock is the cinematographer), and is well-executed.

The 20-something Iranian-American Sam (Reza Emamiyeh) goes to Tokyo for one-week to celebrate his birthday with his already there American girlfriend Becca (Cailee Oliver), but she tells him their relationship is over when he comes to her apartment. Sam calls his old Japanese pal Jun (Shinichiro Watanabe) and since he’s working that night he gets the heartbroken nice guy to go for drinks with his girlfriend Ayala (Tokiko Kitagawa) and her Japanese friends.

Ayala is indifferent to Sam, but the relationship between the new acquaintances will take off when Ayala returns to Jun’s place to get her wallet and finds him there with Becca.

This leads to Sam and Ayala knowing each other better despite Sam being unable to speak Japanese and Ayala limited in her English (he uses the smartphone to translate).

The romance story unites an unlikely couple, who spent one night together in Tokyo consoling each other after their partners have disappointed them. What happens next is to be determined.

REVIEWED ON 6/16/2025  GRADE: B
dennisschwartzreviews.com