Stay the Night

I stumbled across this movie late one night and was thoroughly obsessed until it ended at 3am. I recognized Andrea Bang from Kim's Convenience, but Joe Scarpellino is new to me. Both were perfectly natural and comfortably uncomfortable in their roles as two lonely young souls facing the daunting uncertainty of existence in our modern world. The sparks fly as they find an unlikely friendship in each other.

Stay The Night is sweet without being sappy. You feel the very genuine chemistry and affection between the leads despite the story maintaining a realistic take on dating and hook-up culture. The plot is largely driven by dialogue and we slowly learn about and warm up to the characters as they do with each other. Some might find this type of film a bore, but this is the kind of romance that I live for. Their feelings develop out of their mutual curiosity to know each other as people, rather than the usual trope where characters form a bond due to being thrown at each other as a result of implausible circumstances and crazy escapades.

As an Asian woman, it's always heartening to see another Asian woman represented as a main character. The director, Renuka Jeyapalan, is also a South Asian Canadian woman, and her love for the city of Toronto absolutely shines throughout the film. And as a Canadian girly who loves hockey, thank God they cast an actor who actually plays hockey for the role of Carter. At one point they show a little glimpse of what Joe Scarpellino can do on the ice and it's clear to anyone who plays that the dude can skate.

I will be watching this on repeat as it has replaced all other romcoms in my roster as my number one comfort movie. Thank you to all involved in this film for this absolute gift.

I saw a clip from this movie on tiktok actually and it reminded me a lot of Before Sunrise!! So i thought i'd give it a shot and i really liked it the music choices were great really captured the mood of the movie and chemistry was well it's out there you have to be blind to not see it. And you can clearly see their development throughout the movie step by step not rushed. Clips of Toronto running behind as the two just walk and talk👌🏻.

The ending was unexpected but probably should've guessed because it's not a regular romance movie you see everyday but a part of me wished it to be. Though if they wanted to make a sequel it would be great!!

Saw this last night and thought it was wonderful. So much life in these characters, which were impeccably acted. The story is simple enough to find yourself in and deep enough to really connect to these people. Everything about the movie was terrifically done: it looked great, sounded great, was beautifully shot, well acted, and the director's choices were always spot on. The theatre was filled people you could tell were having a blast, laughing in all the right places. This film will probably get buried due to poor promotion and the way the Canadian film industry works but you should do whatever you can to track it down. Can't wait for what Jeyapalan does next!

... as many romantic-dramas there are every year... few are this good any one year... it really comes unexpectedly, unfolding in a manner very true to the genre, yet in a way seeming fresh and unique... also reminding of another romance-drama from 2015 of an Asian girl and a western guy titled 'Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong' (both Andrea Bung and Jamie Chung being born to Korean immigrant parents)... search and watch, it is another very good romdram

... there's an exceptionally good review of STN from Sarah Manvel at Critic's Notebook hitting all major points of the movie... a good honest well-written-review, centering on the film-story not that of the reviewer's writing as many times happens.. "Their conversation in the bar, where Grace explains herself and Carter listens closely instead of making it all about him, is a charming masterclass in character development and interpersonal chemistry. Turns out Carter and Grace are equally intelligent and curious about the world, which is completely unexpected to both of them. That means the script's maneuvers to keep them out of bed but still together don't feel forced."

... as said in the beginning there are many romance films, most all just watched once and never again... this is not the case with this wonderful-little Canadian film.. it will go in-the-library for future viewings.

Wanted a romance but not the saccharin formula of a Hallmark movie. Saw STAY THE NIGHT had a good score on IMDB with an Asian lead and decided to give it a try. The sights and sounds of Toronto's night life is background as they hop around from bars, restaurants, hotels and airports.

Definitely the couple have good chemistry. They meet at a low point in both their lives and through the night, they get close, share raw topics, help each other and a friendship and romance develops. The little twists and turns make you want more and that's always a good sign. At the end, each character grows a little and they're left better off than if this chance encounter had never happened and you wonder, what would happen if there was a sequel.