X
  • 1988
  • R
  • International Spectrafilm
  • 1 h 39 m
  • 1988
  • R
  • International Spectrafilm
  • 1 h 39 m
Tokyo Pop

Summary Bleach-blonde wannabe rocker Wendy (Carrie Hamilton) is disillusioned with her life in New York City. After receiving a postcard from Japan saying “wish you were here,” she spontaneously hops on a plane to Tokyo with dreams of making it big as a singer. Quickly finding herself broke and a fish out of water, she moves into a youth hostel ...

Directed By: Fran Rubel Kuzui

Written By: Lynn Grossman, Fran Rubel Kuzui

  • 1988
  • R
  • International Spectrafilm
  • 1 h 39 m
  • 1988
  • R
  • International Spectrafilm
  • 1 h 39 m

Tokyo Pop

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 7 Critic Reviews
60
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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Where to Watch

Summary Bleach-blonde wannabe rocker Wendy (Carrie Hamilton) is disillusioned with her life in New York City. After receiving a postcard from Japan saying “wish you were here,” she spontaneously hops on a plane to Tokyo with dreams of making it big as a singer. Quickly finding herself broke and a fish out of water, she moves into a youth hostel ...

Directed By: Fran Rubel Kuzui

Written By: Lynn Grossman, Fran Rubel Kuzui

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 7 Critic Reviews
60
57% Positive
4 Reviews
29% Mixed
2 Reviews
14% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 7 Critic Reviews
60
57% Positive
4 Reviews
29% Mixed
2 Reviews
14% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
81
What Tokyo Pop never allows is overcooked drama where the couple has to decide if they’re really in love, or if they’re just trying to hit it big. The film is genuine. It devoutly avoids putting on airs.
By Andrew Crump FULL REVIEW
75
The first feature for director-cowriter Fran Rubel Kuzui, TOKYO POP manages to be entertaining despite its thin story line, mainly because of its striking visuals and the kooky charm of the leads.
FULL REVIEW
70
You don't have to be a fan of rock music to get a kick out of Tokyo Pop, a wedding of American and Japanese youth cultures as seen through a fun-house mirror.
By Walter Goodman FULL REVIEW
70
The film is on the lean side in matters of story and depth of characters. Its strengths are its pure, ingratiating sweetness, its insider’s view of cross-cultural romance and its eye-popping picture of a thoroughly Westernized Tokyo that has rushed to embrace every worst idea America ever exported--and added a few of its own: sing-along caraoke videos and love hotels, which are a little like the Madonna Inn on a franchise scale.
By Sheila Benson FULL REVIEW
50
Tokyo Pop is an amiable, ambling film mixing travelogue, romantic comedy and musical documentary. [20 Apr 1988, p.C08]
By Ted Mahar FULL REVIEW
50
As a quirky travelogue, Kubui's movie has an unassuming appeal, but the characters remain too sketchy to elicit much passion. [16 May 1988, p.83E]
By David Ansen FULL REVIEW
38
In the end, Wendy and Hiro lose their identities in each other's cultures -- an interesting premise for a movie. However, this potentially dramatic point suffers from a badly paced script, and acting that leaves you wondering where the characters are. [15 Apr 1988, p.C12]
By Juan Carlos Coto FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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Details

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Production Company Kuzui Enterprises., Lorimar Film Entertainment
Release Date Apr 15, 1988
Duration 1 h 39 m
Rating R
Genres
Website https://kinolorber.com/film/tokyo-pop
View All Details

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