Watch The Many Faces of Ito: The Movie

The Many Faces of Ito: The Movie is a 2018 romantic comedy from Japan, directed by Ryuichi Hiroki and based on the popular TV drama of the same name. The movie follows the story of Rio Yazaki (Fumino Kimura), a struggling screenwriter who has just broken up with her boyfriend and is feeling lost in both her personal and professional life. However, things take an unexpected turn when she meets a charming but enigmatic man named Ito (Masaki Okada) who seems to have a different personality every time they meet.

Throughout the movie, Rio and Ito's encounters take on different forms and in every iteration, it is hard to guess who Ito really is. The Many Faces of Ito: The Movie incorporates fantasy and mystery elements in its storyline, as viewers witness not only different versions of Ito's character, but also Rio's own struggle with identity and self-discovery.

At the start of the movie, Rio encounters Ito at a coffee shop, and their initial conversations are awkward but endearing. However, the next time they meet, Ito is completely different; he's an aloof bartender who barely acknowledges Rio's presence. The next time, he's a devoted boyfriend of Rio's coworker, and then he's a homeless man. These different personas of Ito can be seen as playful, but for Rio, they cause a lot of confusion and frustration. Her curiosity about Ito's true self pushes her to get closer to him, but she begins to question what she wants from their relationship.

As Rio becomes friends with Ito, she starts to unlock secrets of his past, which might explain why he has different facades. Before long, Rio realizes that she is getting herself involved in a complicated situation, and it appears that she is getting too close to some of the wrong people.

Alongside the identities of Ito, the movie also intertwines the stories of Rio's friends and coworkers, who have their own struggles with love and success. The characters are distinctive, relatable and give the audience a glimpse of Tokyo's lifestyle and youth culture.

The cinematography of The Many Faces of Ito: The Movie is impressive, as it balances romantic and quirky scenes with suspense and an edgier vibe. The film's rich visuals of the cityscape coupled with the stirring, emotional soundtrack create an impactful and intense atmosphere as the movie progresses.

Throughout the movie, it is clear that Okada delivers a memorable performance as Ito, which blends vulnerability and charm. His roles portray intentional characters but never in a way that overwhelms the movie. In contrast, Kimura creates a likable and relatable protagonist, who battles to find her place in a world where the lines of reality and fantasy aren't clear.

Overall, The Many Faces of Ito: The Movie is a classic romantic dramedy that provides an engaging watch that is hard not to get invested in. The perfect balance of thrilling events and moments of tender intimacy is handled with subtlety and gives the audience enough to chew on during the two-hour runtime. Not only that, but the film is a realistic portrayal of finding oneself in the modern-day, and the pursuit of love and happiness in all its dilemmas.