Stay (II) (2018) User Reviews

Travel to Tokyo from your sofa

[cmking-72881 · 8/10 · 14 November 2020]

This romantic film's male lead is great. But the real star is the city of Tokyo.

A Tender Tokyo Love Story

[sheilaryan-08448 · 8/10 · 16 August 2020]

This film is a love letter, not only between the two main characters whose brief but passionate encounter leads to something more but also to the city itself. Darryl Wharton-Rigby has outdone himself in his tender treatment of a city that might have appeared harsh in different hands and could only be achieved by a director who lives in Tokyo. I'm giving it 8 stars because I wanted to know more of Hope's backstory, but everything else makes me want to linger over Stay. A true gem!

Gem in the rough?

[pjlios · 9/10 · 13 November 2020]

Having lived in Japan as a foreigner, I really appreciated the look(s) of this movie. Rookie cinematographer Goldberg conveys the obvious expanse and energy of Tokyo but also the intimacy found in its finer fractal dimensions. Both leads are infinitely watchable. Though at first I thought the dialogue and cuts were too slow, in the end I believe they were suited the characters and were in useful contrast to the city. The odd dynamic between the lovers eventually makes perfect sense, and never before has an unresolved ending been so satisfying. The entire team putting this film together is to be commended! With a little bigger budget, maybe they could actually spring for a fight scene. ;) I will eagerly follow the future efforts of this talented crew!

A gem that deserves a wider audience

[beezee30 · 10/10 · 19 May 2020]

A slice of Japanese life, a love story in the vein of "Before Sunrise" , this is a gem of a film that deserves a wider audience. Maybe Netflix will pick this up.

Shot in digital video in natural light, it captures the essence of everyday Tokyo life and the film is reminiscent of Wong Kai-war's earlier work like Chungking Express and the rawness of the Dogma era .

Worth a watch

[ore-06218 · 10/10 · 4 March 2020]

Stay reminded me of my time living in Tokyo. Easy to like this movie for the story or scenery. The main characters dilemma would be something unheard of in old Japan and reflects changes in modern Japanese society. Good stuff

Stay

[dabianwitherspoon · 10/10 · 29 February 2020]

"Stay" is an amazing production. It is beautifully shot, and its direction and casting are stellar.

The story felt so natural. After experiencing the opening sequence and beginning to sympathize with Ryu's despair, magic occurred. Soon, I was rooting for him to get his life back and for him to convince Hope to "stay."

The chemistry between the two lead actors, Shogen (Ryu) and Ana Tanaka (Hope), feels like watching two people really falling in love while their banter and playfulness retain the story's cinematic quality.

Glimpses into specific aspects of Japanese culture are refreshing, but the story and its themes are universal.

Writer and director Darryl Wharton-Rigby has delivered with this one. I look forward to this brilliant storyteller's next film.

Worth staying in for

[sdvega-92426 · 10/10 · 1 February 2021]

Stay is the story of a brief romance that occurs over a couple of days in Tokyo. No doubt many a traveler will be able to relate to that experience and how memorable and intense the feeling is. The protagonist Ryu (Shogen) has had a fall from grace as a result of drug abuse. After being fired from yet another job, he meets a foreigner, Hope (Ana Tanaka), in a nightclub and events unfold from there. Here you might expect the usual trope of him falling more into drug and alcohol abuse with imminent rescue from the fall by Hope. But not all. Instead, what develops is a warm and sincere intimacy, with naturalism instead of dramatics, even in its darkest moments, and this is what gives Stay its appeal. Shogen and Tanaka are convincing in their roles and are well supported by Natsuhi Ueno (Risa) and Shima Onishi (Bo) as the friends that Ryu could do without. An additional bonus is the wonderful streets scenes of Tokyo, many of which are off the well beaten tourist tracks and a soundtrack that put me in mind of Murakami's novels.

THIS STORY USES AN UNEXPECTED TRYST IN TOKYO TO UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF REAL LOVE AND CONSIDER THE QUESTION, "DO SOULMATES EXIST?"

[heathoffy · 10/10 · 15 October 2020]

As a romance movie, Wharton-Rigby does an excellent job of developing the plot between Ryu and Hope. Yet, it is difficult to relate to the two best-looking people and most talented characters in the story having so many problems at times. Is there any hope for the regular people among us if these two beautiful and talented people can't make love work?

The music throughout the movie is one of the best collections of compositions I have ever heard in an independent film. It only serves to illustrate how well put together STAY is as a whole. The polished production of STAY matches the engaging script.

STAY is easy to watch and quite entertaining. The story pacing is on the slower, more Japanese-moviemaking style side, although the last third of the film does pick up the action and conflict. The plot is still fast enough to keep one interested in the film with its fantastic soundtrack.

Jeremy Goldberg's cinematography showcases darker sides of Tokyo that most people never experience. Yukako Muruta's editing lets the plot unfold in measured rhythm. The total efforts of those talented behind the scenes folks makes for a good film for fans of off-beat romance and storytelling.

A slow burn character study with outstanding cinematography, soundtrack, and message, leaving your past in the past. Highly recommended for people who love Japan, smart movies, and great music!

Nice movie

[halinamichelle · 10/10 · 7 March 2021]

I loved the story of the movie.Even the girl went back to her country she's still staying on mans'heart💖love it so much...

There's a lot to appreciate here

[iainmorrish · 10/10 · 13 November 2020]

This is a gently moving story, and its lack of pretension and subtlety will slowly draw you in until you find yourself caring about the main characters and the outcome of the story.

Besides the charismatic lead actors, there's a fascinating urban backdrop and a subplot to this movie that has me hoping for a prequel - something I don't think I've ever wanted before.

Wonderful Portrayal of an Unexplored Side of Japan

[peterjunx · 9/10 · 11 December 2022]

This film has a unique plot that explores a side of Japan that certainly exists but unfortunately has not been tackled by filmmakers. There is no shortage of Yakuza movies and films about "normal" Japanese people, but in reality there are untold numbers of people who fall through the cracks in Japanese society, and I'm glad this film shines a spotlight on some of them. The romantic piece which is central to this film similarly highlights characters who exist in real life but have gone unexplored by filmmakers. The actors are talented and the director does an amazing job at portraying all these unique issues and characters in a compelling, realistic, and entertaining way. Finally, I'm not sure who chose the music but I really enjoyed the soundtrack. Put this film on your watch list!