Knowing a movie is based off a James Michener novel is enough of a clue that the subject matter will be sad, but as an extra warning, this Joshua Logan drama is entitled Sayonara. So bring the whole Kleenex box when you sit down for this fantastic movie. Sweeping up Rag Awards for Best Picture, Director, and Supporting Actress (and with additional nominations for Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Screenplay, and Song), Sayonara is one of the best movies of the entire decade.
Marlon Brando stars as a soldier stationed in post-war Japan, with as healthy a dose of American prejudice as you'd expect. At the start of the movie, he learns that his friend and fellow soldier, Red Buttons, is planning on marrying a Japanese girl. He tries to talk him out of it with any number of verbal tactics, suggesting his family won't approve, his friends will shun him, and finally saying that he just doesn't understand how a "normal American" can actually want to marry a Japanese. Red has a comeback for every objection, and at the end of the day, Marlon agrees to be a witness at the ceremony even though he still doesn't approve. When he congratulates the happy couple, he does so with such a perfect level of condescension and forced sincerity; it's easy to imagine he's witnessed a man marrying his dog. He pats the bride on the head and says, "Take good care of him, darlin'." Marlon got some flack for his muddled accent, but he did it on purpose to show that as an Army brat, he moved around a lot during his childhood. I've actually known people whose accents reflected different areas they've lived, so I didn't mind his compilation one bit.
Of course, with such a heavy prejudice ingrained in him, it's a reasonable guess that living in Japan and getting to know the people will eventually soften Marlon's edges and open his mind. Through observing Red's happiness with his wife, Miyoshi Umeki, and with a developing fascination of a famous dancer, Miiko Taka, Marlon has the opportunity to mature and move past the war.
The entire movie is devoted to culture-clash, constantly showing the difference between the bigoted world and the accepting one. In the first, there's an all-white country club that doesn't allow any Japanese as guests. When James Garner tries to bring a Japanese dancer to tea, even though he's a respected officer, head honcho Kent Smith won't see him through the front door. Kent is also Marlon's future father-in-law; his daughter is the classy Patricia Owens who can offer Marlon a completely different life than the one Red enjoys with Miyoshi - in the second world.
Sayonara presented three new faces to audiences, and two of them won Academy Awards. Miiko Taka wasn't an actress, but director Joshua Logan liked the look of her. Turns out, she gave a wonderful performance and showed all the elegance, morality, respect, and duty that her character required. People might have known Red Buttons and Miyoshi Umeki, but for comedy and singing, respectively. In these heavy dramatic roles, it was an unexpected treat that these debut actors could make the audience cry. Miyoshi's broken English is so endearing, and her shy mannerisms work their way into your hearts in an instant. During her wedding ceremony, she doesn't understand the officiant's words, so Red Buttons answers for her. "She will," he says to answer her vows. "She will," Miyoshi repeats innocently.
Obviously I recommend this movie, but my recommendation does come with a warning. There are some extremely cute moments, but they build you up for an even greater fall. I've seen this movie four times and look forward to the fifth viewing, but I know it'll be too sad for some people.
