When I Met You in Tokyo explained

When I Met You In Tokyo
Producer:Redgie A. Magno
Screenplay:Suzette Doctolero
Music:Jessie Lasaten
Cinematography:Shayne Sarte
Editing:Froilan Francia
Production Companies:JG Productions
Distributor:Rafaella Films International
Runtime:123 minutes
Country:Philippines
Language:Filipino

is a 2023 Philippine romance film written by Suzette Doctolero and directed by Rado Peru and Rommel Penesa. It stars Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon, both of whom were teamed up in several blockbuster films such as Tag-ulan sa Tag-Araw (1975), Sinasamba Kita (1982), Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan ang Nakaraan (1983), Imortal (1989), Dekada '70 (2002), and (2004).[1] [2]

It was released on December 25, 2023, as an official entry for the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival.

Plot

The film begins in Japan where Azon and her friends work at the Crowne Plaza Hotel as hotel servants while Joey is a farmer who works at the Japanese farm along with his Japanese friend, Akira and a single man who was recently annulled from his marriage with his estranged former wife. Azon meets Joey at the bar while she was having a party with her friends and they are scolded by Joey for causing more trouble. As soon as they get out of the bar Azon eventually punches him in the face for scolding them before her two friends dragged her out of the way. After their first encounter, this is how both had met each other in a friendly manner and they encountered again when Azon buys some vegetables from Joey when they recognized each other at the bar last night.

They also revealed the problems in their respective families in the Philippines. Azon learns that her brother Marlon is a gambling addict after being contacted by his daughter in secret, which leads her to stop giving them money as Marlon abruptly arrives at the gym and slaps his daughter for being a traitor. However, he emotionally apologizes to Azon for tricking her and promises he will change for the better after he visited the grave of both of their parents. In Joey's family, Joey is close to his daughter but was also strained to his former wife. With Akira's advice about forgiveness and looking at the sign of forgive, he learns to forgive his former wife and tells her to forget about their past mistakes.

Both Azon and Joey eventually get married and they moved to Joey's home after they had a very loving relationship but due to their retirement age, they can't consummate their love in their honeymoon. Their loving marriage had taken to six years until Azon suffers from osteoarthritis on her leg which is a challenge for Joey to look after her but he too had heart problems in secret only both him and his daughter knew of his sickness. However, Azon was mad at him for keeping his sickness to her.

After taking a walk in the snowy mountains, they rest up at home. Azon decided to serve water for them, but Joey suffers a heart attack as she leaves. She arrives with the water to see him collapsed and tells her that he loves her before dying. Both Akira and Azon are devastated over Joey's loss. Azon contacts Joey's daughter and informs her about her father's death, much to her grief. Following Joey's death, Azon had learned so much from Joey in his gardening and farming experiences and for teaching her how to cut a bonzai tree to shoe her patience. The film ends where Azon narrates about how a person meets his soulmate and they are destined to be together.

Cast

Production

When I Met You In Tokyo was produced under JG Productions and was directed by Rado Peru and Rommel Penesa. Suzette Doctolero was the scriptwriter while Shayne Sarte was the cinematographer.[2]

The film is about two older Overseas Filipino Workers in Japan. Around 95 percent of the principal photography took place in the East Asian country, with most of the film's story taking place in the countryside.[2] Filming in Japan started around April 2023.[6] [7]

Release

When I Met You In Tokyo premiered in cinemas in the Philippines on December 25, 2023, as one of the official entries of the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival.[8] The film was originally scheduled to be released sometime around September 2023, but JG Productions decided to postpone the release date due to the rainy season.[9]

Reception

Critical Reception

The film received a generally positive reception from several notable reviewers according to review aggregator website Kritikultura. It garnered a score of 63/100 based on 14 reviews.[10]

Several critics noted De Leon and Santos's performance as the film's biggest strength. Joseph L. Garcia of BusinessWorld wrote, "By all standards, the film should have been predictable and unexciting. In the hands of Mr. De Leon, and especially Ms. Santos, the film reaches a higher standard."[11] Goldwin Reviews echoed this sentiment, stating, "Mahirap hindi kiligin sa pinaggagawa nina Vilma Santos at Christopher de Leon dito. Ang saya nilang panuorin."[12]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryRecipient(s)Result
2023Metro Manila Film FestivalBest PictureWhen I Met You in Tokyo[13]
Best DirectorRado Peru & Rommel Peneza
Best ActorChristopher de Leon
Best ActressVilma Santos-Recto
Best ScreenplaySuzette Doctolero
Best CinematographyShayne Sarte
Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for ExcellenceWhen I Met You In Tokyo
Best Float
Gender Sensitivity Award
2024scope=rowManila International Film FestivalBest ActressVilma Santos[14]
2024 FAMAS AwardsCircle of Excellence[15]
7th Eddy'sBest Actress[16]
Best CinematographyShayne Sarte
Best Production DesignWhen I Met You in Tokyo
Best SoundWhen I Met You in Tokyo
40th PMPC Star Awards for MoviesStar Award for Movie Actress of the YearVilma Santos[17]

Notes and References

  1. News: Severo . Jan Milo . 'Let’s fall in love': Vilma Santos on cloud nine after 'When I Met You In Tokyo' makes MMFF 2023 list . 9 December 2023 . The Philippine Star . 17 October 2023.
  2. News: Requintina . Robert . Vilma Santos-Recto and Christopher de Leon talk on-screen chemistry in 'When I Met You In Tokyo' . 9 December 2023 . Manila Bulletin . 13 October 2023 . en.
  3. News: Escuadro . Kiko . Vilma Santos, may mga kundisyon para mapa-oo sa reunion movie nila ni Chistopher De Leon . Vilma Santos, had conditions for a yes in her reunion movie with Chistopher De Leon. 9 December 2023 . PUSH . ABS-CBN . 1 April 2023 . fil.
  4. News: Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon team up for 25th film, ‘ . 9 December 2023 . Malaya Business Insight . 2 April 2023.
  5. News: Severo . Jan Milo . Christopher de Leon bares why he accepted 'When I Met You In Tokyo' directorial job . 9 December 2023 . The Philippine Star . 6 November 2023.
  6. News: Mallorca . Hannah . Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon off to Japan for reunion film ‘When I Met You in Tokyo’ . 9 December 2023 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . 3 April 2023 . en.
  7. News: Wang . Nickie . Camera starts rolling in Tokyo for Vilma Santos-Christopher de Leon reunion movie . 9 December 2023 . Manila Standard . 10 April 2023.
  8. News: 'Firefly' among six new films included in official 10-movie list of MMFF . 9 December 2023 . GMA News . 17 October 2023 . en.
  9. News: Cruz . Marinel . Why Vilma Santos feels anxious about her MMFF entry ‘When I Met You In Tokyo’ . 9 December 2023 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . 24 October 2023 . en.
  10. Web site: When I Met You in Tokyo (2023) Reviews . Kritikultura . kritikultura.com . 27 March 2024.
  11. News: Garcia . Joseph L. . Metro Manila Film Festival 2023: Major talents lift tale of senior love . 27 March 2024 . BusinessWorld . 29 Dec 2023.
  12. Web site: WHEN I MET YOU IN TOKYO . Goldwin Reviews . goldwinreviews.com . 27 March 2024.
  13. News: Josiah . Antonio . LIST: Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 winners . . December 27, 2023 . December 28, 2023 . En.
  14. Web site: Uson . Melanie . February 3, 2024 . LIST: The 2024 Manila International Film Festival winners . Philstar Life.
  15. News: Pagulong . Charmie Joy . Kathryn, Piolo, Alfred lead winners at FAMAS 2024 . . May 28, 2024 . June 14, 2024.
  16. News: Fariñas . Ian . SPEEd announces nominees for 7th EDDYS . Journal News . June 14, 2024 . June 14, 2024.
  17. News: Krishnan . Ganiel . 40th Star Awards for Movies celebrates decades of excellence in Philippine cinema . . July 22, 2024 . July 24, 2024.