Sayonara

"Sayonara" is a Drama - Romance movie in which we watch a US Air Force major in Japan falling in love with a Japanese woman something that he would never expect since he was against to marriages between American men and Japanese women.

I enjoyed this movie because it had an interesting plot with a beautiful meaning. It presented a very sensitive and important subject of that time, something that made it even more interesting. The direction which was made by Joshua Logan, it was very good and I believe that he did an excellent job on it since he succeeded on presenting very well the main subject of the movie along with his main characters who did an equally good job under his guidance. Regarding the interpretations of the cast, both the interpretations of Marlon Brando who played as Major Lloyd Gruver and Miiko Taka who played as Hana-Ogi were very good but the best interpretations were made by Red Buttons who played as Joe Kelly and Miyoshi Umeki who played as Katsumi. In conclusion, I have to say that "Sayonara" is an emotional, beautiful love story that I strongly recommend everyone to watch because it will travel you back in time and you will follow this great story.

Beautiful shots of Japan And even though it's shot in 1957, it was filmed in Technirama and Technicolor.. truly amazing how it still looks vibrant today on a modern tv. I'm sure these soldiers faced such obstacles, falling in love with women of a nation we were at war with but today, all these years later it seems absurd they'd be harassed for it and only natural for young men 1,000s of miles from home for years on end. It's based on a James Michener book and even though it's 60+ yrs old, it's obvious they sure knew how to make movies all those yrs ago... I'd rather watch these old movies than 80% of the ridiculous content that's been out out in the past 30 years. Yes, there's a lot more movies put out these days but I'd venture an estimate that the quality movies produced today vs 60 yrs ago... they had us beat without a doubt. Great flick.. enjoy!!

Any film that deals with bigotry in a positive manner is a film that should still be seen by current audiences as the message and moral of the story will always be relevant as long as we have a world full of bigotry.

Aside from that, the film is really an old-fashioned love story..boy meets girl..boys loses girl...boy gets girl back....

The weakest role goes to the late Kent Smith as Lt. General Webster(Riccardo Montalban is a close second)...my question would be how did he ever get to be a 3-star general...the character is such a wimp in the presence of his wife and military subordinates, it's a wonder they show him any respect at all.

Brando's southern accent is a little overdone, and some scenes have a few holes but overall, I enjoy the film every time I see it.

Red Buttons is great...I always love seeing comedians in dramatic roles...as in Button's case, often a comedian can better portray the tragedy of a person than a more traditional dramatic actor.

There are two "Sayonara"s: the James Mitchner book and the

Hollywood adaptation. The Major Llyod Gruver portrayed in the book is

introduced as an army brat, graduate of West Point, no-nonsense air

force pilot and career officer who does not discuss personal matters

with enlisted men. The Ace Gruver introduced in the film is a

brooding Brando who arrives in a fighter jet instead of on a Triumph

motorcycle and whose best friend is Airman Kelly. The Japan portrayed

in the Mitchner book is the everyday Japan of narrow streets, noodle

vendors, ramen shops, yakitori stands, tatami rooms, and futon at bed

time. The Japan portrayed in the film is a land of geisha,

Takarazuka, kabuki, bunraku, pagoda, arched bridges, and a lot of other

Japan stereotypes I have yet to encounter although I have lived in

Japan for the past 31 years and have a masters degree in Far East Asian

Studies from Sophia University, Tokyo. Both "Sayonara"s offer something o value. One is realistic. One

is a beautiful fantasy. Read the book and watch the movie and take

your choice of endings.

Sayonara is one of my special favorites. I love rediscovering this beautiful film. Personally I disliked the book; I found it cowardly. Brando is apparently responsible for the courageous ending of the film and I bless him for it. I find he was extraordinarily brave way back in 1957 when Sayonara was made. Strong, wonderful cast are a delight; James Garner, Patricia Owens and the two Oscar winners, Buttons and Umeki support Brando and Miiko Taki. The soundtrack is also lovely.