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Okinawa Rendez-vous (2000) Plot Summary & Timeline

Okinawa Rendez-vous (2000) movie poster

Okinawa Rendez-vous is a 2000 romance and comedy film directed by Gordon Chan, running 1 hour 40 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 366 words (about 2 minutes to read) and covers 12 key events in order, 8 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Okinawa Rendez-vous.

to read the plot summary
2 min
key events in the timeline
12
characters profiled
8
themes explained
3
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Okinawa Rendez-vous (2000) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m
Director
Gordon Chan
Genres
Romance, Comedy, Drama
Original language
Cantonese
No spoilers

What Is Okinawa Rendez-vous About?

The premise of Okinawa Rendez-vous in 277 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In the neon‑kissed streets of a bustling city, Jimmy Tong moves like a ghost‑in‑the‑machine, a polished specialist in high‑stakes, white‑collar scheming. With his loyal sidekick Kuk Bo at his elbow, their partnership blends razor‑sharp wit with a cool confidence that makes every con feel like an elegant dance. The world they inhabit is a glossy underbelly where power is bartered in secrets and charisma, and where the line between lawful society and the shadow economy is a seductive blur.

When a priceless personal diary belonging to the formidable yakuza figure Ken Sato surfaces, Jimmy sees an opportunity to turn confidential leverage into a lucrative payoff. The arrangement is tense, the stakes high, and the atmosphere crackles with the quiet intensity of a deal that could shift the balance of influence. Yet the situation takes an unexpected turn when Jenny, Sato’s enigmatic partner, makes a choice that pulls the prize far from its original setting, sending the whole affair to the sun‑drenched islands of Okinawa and casting a new, unpredictable shade over Jimmy’s calculated plans.

On those same islands, Dat Lo is chasing a very different kind of freedom, vacationing with his companion Sandy while navigating a tangled personal life that includes the spirited Cookie. A chance encounter with Jimmy ignites a fresh spark of intrigue; Dat recognizes the seasoned crook and, intrigued by the possibilities, contemplates a daring collaboration that could reshape both their fortunes. The interplay between these charismatic players—each driven by ambition, desire, and a penchant for risk—sets the stage for a stylish, tension‑laden caper where loyalties are fluid, motives are layered, and the sun‑lit backdrop of Okinawa only heightens the allure of the unknown.

Full plot

What Happens in Okinawa Rendez-vous?

The complete story of Okinawa Rendez-vous, from the first scene to the last, in 366 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 7 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

In this stylish caper, Jimmy Tong (Leslie Cheung) is a suave expert in white-collar crime, specializing in high-stakes theft and clever ruses. With his loyal sidekick Kuk Bo (Vincent Kok Tak-Chiu), he steals a personal diary belonging to the powerful yakuza boss Ken Sato (Masaya Katô). The plan is to use the diary as leverage to squeeze a fortune from Sato, and at first, Sato agrees to the risky arrangement. The scheme spirals when Sato’s girlfriend Jenny (Faye Wong) betrays him and flees with the money to Okinawa, leaving Jimmy with a more tangled score to settle than he anticipated.

Meanwhile, Dat Lo (Tony Leung Ka Fai) is vacationing in Okinawa with his girlfriend Sandy (Gigi Lai Chi) and another jilted woman, Cookie (Stephanie Che Yuen-Yuen), and he plans to use the trip to end one relationship while keeping his options open. On a chance encounter, Dat quickly recognizes Jimmy as the seasoned international crook he has pursued before, and a new plan begins to take shape. Dat sees an opportunity to trap Jimmy by proposing a fresh bank heist, a scheme Jimmy accepts with little persuasion, drawn by the prospect of another big score and the thrill of the game.

Yet Jenny’s sudden reappearance throws the entire arrangement into disarray. As she moves through the converging abysses of loyalty and desire, both Jimmy and Dat find themselves drawn to her, creating a tense and volatile triangle where affection competes with greed. The pursuit of money collides with shifting loyalties, and the fragile lines between ally and rival blur as each man weighs his next move. In Okinawa’s sun-drenched backdrop, the con artists navigate double-crosses, escalating dangers, and a romance that complicates every decision they make.

Throughout the story, the ensemble cast threads a delicate balance between charm and cunning. Jimmy, Jenny, and Dat each carry their own motives, while Kuk Bo, Sandy, and Cookie contribute to the web of schemes that keep the tension high. The diary’s leverage, the bank heist plan, and the unpredictable pull of romance combine to propel a narrative that unfolds with wit, style, and calculated risk, leaving the audience unsure of who will outsmart whom until the final, unnerving turn.

Timeline

Okinawa Rendez-vous Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

12 key events in the order they happen, from “Diary theft from a yakuza leader” to “Escalating stakes set the stage for confrontation”.

  1. 1

    Diary theft from a yakuza leader

    Jimmy Tong and his sidekick Vincent Kok steal a personal diary belonging to yakuza boss Ken Sato. They intend to use the diary's details as leverage for blackmail and to extort money. The theft marks the beginning of their high-stakes scheme.

  2. 2

    Sato agrees to the blackmail deal

    Ken Sato agrees to the uneasy arrangement and begins making preparations to pay Jimmy the enormous demands. The diary is viewed as a platform to squeeze a fortune from him. The plan hinges on Sato's willingness to meet coercive terms.

  3. 3

    Jenny betrays Sato and flees to Okinawa

    Sato's girlfriend Jenny betrays him and runs off with the money, heading to Okinawa. The betrayal shatters the expected payoff and complicates the power dynamic between the criminals. The money's destination hints at a locale that will soon intersect with other characters.

    Where:Okinawa

  4. 4

    Dat Lo vacations in Okinawa

    Dat Lo is on vacation in Okinawa with his girlfriend and another jilted girl, planning to dump his own partner. His holiday setup becomes a backdrop for unexpected encounters. The setting places him in the same locale as Jimmy's schemes.

    Where:Okinawa

  5. 5

    Dat recognizes Jimmy as a crook

    During the Okinawa trip, Dat Lo encounters Jimmy Tong and quickly recognises him as an international crook. This recognition sets up a clash of plans between two criminals who now share a common geography. The moment ignites Dat's interest in stopping or manipulating Jimmy.

    Where:Okinawa

  6. 6

    Dat decides to trap and arrest Jimmy

    Dat shifts from his original breakup plan to devising a scheme to trap and arrest Jimmy. He moves from personal whims to criminal strategy as he pursues justice or leverage. The decision introduces a new dynamic of pursuit and countercrime.

    Where:Okinawa

  7. 7

    Dat recruits Jimmy for a bank heist

    Dat attempts to recruit Jimmy as an accomplice to a bank heist, signaling a potential partnership despite their mutual antagonism. Jimmy is receptive, showing little resistance to the proposal. The alliance would merge their criminal skills toward a bigger payoff.

  8. 8

    Jimmy agrees to join the bank heist

    Jimmy agrees to participate in the bank heist with minimal persuasion, drawn by the prospect of wealth and danger. The collaboration introduces a volatile mix of trust and deceit. Their alliance marks a major turn in the plot.

  9. 9

    Jenny enters the frame again

    Jenny becomes a central figure once more as she re-enters the frame in the new plot. Her actions will influence both Jimmy and Dat and the course of the heist and blackmail schemes. The love triangle adds personal stakes to the criminal plans.

  10. 10

    Love triangle forms between Jenny, Jimmy, and Dat

    Both Jimmy and Dat fall in love with Jenny, creating a tangled love triangle that complicates their criminal scheming. Romantic interests threaten to overshadow the pursuit of money. The triangle raises the emotional stakes of the plot.

  11. 11

    Plans collide as relationships complicate schemes

    With loyalties and affections divided, the bank heist and blackmail plans become intertwined with personal feelings. The competing ambitions and affection create tension, misdirection, and the threat of double-crosses. The story moves toward an inevitable clash.

  12. 12

    Escalating stakes set the stage for confrontation

    The intertwined schemes and shifting alliances raise the stakes as characters pursue both money and affection. The narrative primes the audience for a high-tension confrontation where trust is fragile and deception is common. The film positions its players on a collision course.

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Okinawa Rendez-vous?

8 characters, among them Dat Lo (Tony Leung Ka Fai), Jimmy Tong (Leslie Cheung) and Jenny (Faye Wong): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • Tony Leung Ka Fai as Dat Lo (Tony Leung Ka Fai) in Okinawa Rendez-vous

    Dat Lo (Tony Leung Ka Fai)

    Played by Tony Leung Ka Fai

    Dat Lo is a clever, opportunistic vacationer who manipulates events to dump his girlfriend and entrap a crook, then becomes entangled in the ensuing plan and romance with Jenny.

    • 🧠 Strategist
    • 💪 Calculated
    • 🎭 Dual-natured
  • JT

    Jimmy Tong (Leslie Cheung)

    Played by Leslie Cheung

    An expert blackmailer and thief who relies on charm and cunning. He is drawn into a dangerous romance with Jenny, complicating his schemes.

    • 🧠 Charismatic
    • 💼 Mastermind
    • 💘 Romantic
  • J(

    Jenny (Faye Wong)

    Played by Faye Wong

    Sato's girlfriend who betrays him to steal the money, then becomes involved with Dat and Jimmy. Her actions pivot the plot between loyalty and desire.

    • 💔 Betrayer
    • 💃 Seductive
    • 🧭 Key Player
  • KS

    Ken Sato (Masaya Katô)

    Played by Masaya Katô

    A yakuza leader whose diary becomes the leverage for extortion. He negotiates payment but is swiftly drawn into the web of deceit.

    • 💼 Crime Boss
    • 🗝️ Diary Holder
    • 🗺️ Yakuza World
  • KB

    Kuk Bo (Vincent Kok Tak-Chiu)

    Played by Vincent Kok Tak-Chiu

    Jimmy's sidekick, assisting in the schemes and navigating the criminal underworld with street-smarts and loyalty to the operation.

    • 🧠 Loyal Partner
    • 🕵️‍♂️ Street-smart
  • C(

    Cookie (Stephanie Che Yuen-Yuen)

    Played by Stephanie Che Yuen-Yuen

    One of Dat's companions on the Okinawa trip; a jilted girl whose presence adds tension to the group dynamic.

    • 💔 Jilted Companion
    • 🗺️ Island Friend
  • S(

    Sandy (Gigi Lai Chi)

    Played by Gigi Lai Chi

    Dat's girlfriend who accompanies him on the vacation; part of the romantic entanglements that drive the plot.

    • ❤️ Girlfriend
    • 🧭 Island Interest
  • B/

    Bar / Cafe Owner (Asuka Higuchi)

    Played by Asuka Higuchi

    Bar/cafe owner encountered during Okinawa's nightlife; a minor but atmospheric figure in the island setting.

    • 🍹 Nightlife
    • 🏪 Bar Owner
Setting

Where and When Is Okinawa Rendez-vous Set?

Okinawa Rendez-vous is set in Okinawa and Japan. Here is why the place matters to the story.

Where

Okinawa, Japan

Set on the subtropical island of Okinawa, the film uses sun-soaked resorts and seaside streets as a backdrop for crime and deception. The island's laid-back vacation atmosphere contrasts with sharp, high-stakes scheming, heightening tension. This setting underscores the clash between leisure and danger that drives the plot.

  • 🏝️ Island setting
  • 🗾 Japanese locale
  • 🏖️ Beach towns
Themes

What Are the Themes of Okinawa Rendez-vous?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Betrayal, Double Cross and Love Triangle.

  1. 01

    Betrayal

    Trust is fragile as lines are crossed between lovers and criminals. Jenny's betrayal of Sato kickstarts the unraveling of Jimmy's confidence and the scheme's balance. The diary's leverage reveals how personal attachments override greed. Relationships become as dangerous as any weapon as loyalties shift under pressure.

  2. 02

    Double Cross

    Jimmy and Dat test each other's willingness to cooperate in a risky bank heist, blurring lines between ally and target. The plan uses deception and timing to manipulate both the target and the others involved. Money becomes a lure that escalates ambitions and erodes trust. The pursuit of wealth ties the fates of all players as the plan spirals out of control.

  3. 03

    Love Triangle

    Romantic feelings complicate the criminal web, pulling Jimmy, Jenny, and Dat into a tangled affection that undermines clear decisions. Each person uses love as leverage, trading loyalty for momentary comfort or escape. The pursuit of romance amplifies the high-stakes tension, making every choice more personal than practical. The island backdrop intensifies the drama as desire collides with schemes.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Okinawa Rendez-vous?

Light in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Light
Pacing
Fast
Story
Moderate
Intensity
Medium
Ending
Mixed

A fast-paced and playful crime caper that feels like a sun-drenched holiday, mixing romantic entanglements with mischievous heists without ever taking itself too seriously.

  • mischievous
  • romantic
  • playful
  • caper-oriented
  • serendipitous
  • sun-drenched
  • heist
  • double-cross
  • vacation getaway
  • romantic rivalry

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FAQ

Okinawa Rendez-vous Plot Questions

5 quick answers about Okinawa Rendez-vous, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is Okinawa Rendez-vous about?

In the neon‑kissed streets of a bustling city, Jimmy Tong moves like a ghost‑in‑the‑machine, a polished specialist in high‑stakes, white‑collar scheming.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Okinawa Rendez-vous take place?

Okinawa Rendez-vous is set in Okinawa and Japan. Set on the subtropical island of Okinawa, the film uses sun-soaked resorts and seaside streets as a backdrop for crime and deception.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Okinawa Rendez-vous?

The story follows Dat Lo (Tony Leung Ka Fai) (played by Tony Leung Ka Fai), Jimmy Tong (Leslie Cheung) (played by Leslie Cheung), Jenny (Faye Wong) (played by Faye Wong) and Ken Sato (Masaya Katô) (played by Masaya Katô); the character guide covers 8 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Okinawa Rendez-vous?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Betrayal, Double Cross and Love Triangle.

The themes explained

Who directed Okinawa Rendez-vous?

Okinawa Rendez-vous (2000) was directed by Gordon Chan and runs 1 hour 40 minutes.

Gordon Chan’s films

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