Tokyo Pop
Encyclopedia
is a music-centric movie from 1988 that tells the story of a girl from the USA, a boy from Japan, and a briefly successful pop band. The movie contrasts American customs with Tokyo
lifestyles, as it presents an evolving love story between the two main characters.
The main actors are Carrie Hamilton
for Wendy and Diamond Yukai
(aka Yutaka Tadokoro) for Hiro Yamaguchi. Other actors included Gina Belafonte and Tetsuro Tamba
. The movie was directed by Fran Rubel Kuzui
.
, and travels to Tokyo, Japan. She plans to visit a girlfriend but cannot find her. Instead she meets a young man called Hiro , who is the leader of an unsuccessful pop band. As Wendy is blonde and tall by local standards, she attracts attention. She falls in love with Hiro and develops a music career as the movie advances. With some tricks they manage to catch the eye of a record label producer and achieve success for a short time. The song, which is played throughout, is a cover version from John Sebastian
's Do you believe in magic? While they top the charts, there is some luxury in their lives, but the blossoming relationship of the main couple starts breaking apart.
In the movie, Tokyo Pop is a one day business where groups have one hit in the charts and then vanish forever. Since this is the case, Wendy goes back to the US in hopes of finding a more stable career. She had an unforgettable time with Hiro but can leave him behind because he is a marvelous composer, who will find his way through his own power. He no longer needs her to garner the attention of producers.
The film ends with a tearful duet between the two; she, in a US studio singing about her love for him and he, on a Japanese stage replying in kind. The duet showcases his artistic music skills.
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
lifestyles, as it presents an evolving love story between the two main characters.
The main actors are Carrie Hamilton
Carrie Hamilton
Carrie Louise Hamilton was an American actress, singer, and playwright. She was the daughter of comedienne/actress Carol Burnett and producer Joe Hamilton.-Life:...
for Wendy and Diamond Yukai
Diamond Yukai
is a rock singer and actor. He was born Yutaka Tadokoro in Tanashi, Tokyo, Japan. He is the vocalist for the long term existing Japanese rock band Red Warriors.-Movies:He appeared in the following movies:...
(aka Yutaka Tadokoro) for Hiro Yamaguchi. Other actors included Gina Belafonte and Tetsuro Tamba
Tetsuro Tamba
was a Japanese actor.-Biography:Tamba is perhaps best known by Western audiences for his role as Tiger Tanaka in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice . By then, he had among other roles appeared in two films by director Masaki Kobayashi: Harakiri and Kwaidan...
. The movie was directed by Fran Rubel Kuzui
Fran Rubel Kuzui
Fran Rubel Kuzui is an American movie director and producer. She received her Masters degree from New York University and was a script supervisor for a decade, prior to her first film, 1988's Tokyo Pop, which she co-wrote and directed...
.
Plot
This is the story of a girl named Wendy Reed, who leaves the USA and her boyfriend, a musician played by Michael CerverisMichael Cerveris
Michael Cerveris is an American singer, guitarist and actor. He has performed in many stage musicals and plays, including in several Stephen Sondheim musicals: Assassins, Sweeney Todd, Road Show, and Passion...
, and travels to Tokyo, Japan. She plans to visit a girlfriend but cannot find her. Instead she meets a young man called Hiro , who is the leader of an unsuccessful pop band. As Wendy is blonde and tall by local standards, she attracts attention. She falls in love with Hiro and develops a music career as the movie advances. With some tricks they manage to catch the eye of a record label producer and achieve success for a short time. The song, which is played throughout, is a cover version from John Sebastian
John Sebastian
John Benson Sebastian Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and autoharpist. He is best known as a founder of The Lovin' Spoonful, a band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000...
's Do you believe in magic? While they top the charts, there is some luxury in their lives, but the blossoming relationship of the main couple starts breaking apart.
In the movie, Tokyo Pop is a one day business where groups have one hit in the charts and then vanish forever. Since this is the case, Wendy goes back to the US in hopes of finding a more stable career. She had an unforgettable time with Hiro but can leave him behind because he is a marvelous composer, who will find his way through his own power. He no longer needs her to garner the attention of producers.
The film ends with a tearful duet between the two; she, in a US studio singing about her love for him and he, on a Japanese stage replying in kind. The duet showcases his artistic music skills.