Based on a novel by James Michener, Sayonara is a movie that's set in Korean war era Japan. Two American service men finds old world Japanese women more attractive than women from their own country.
Major Gruver (Marlon Brando) stationed in Itami Japan is asked by his superior to convince his crew chief Airmen Joe Kelly (Red Buttons) to break off engagement with Katsumi (Miyoshi Umeki) - a Japanese girl. Interracial marriage was eschewed at the time, and somewhat thought to be out of form for Americans to marry an Asian, especially the Japanese who were their enemies in the recent war. Major Gruver tries to convince Joe that fine "real" American woman is what's really worth marrying until he is introduced to Hanaogi (Miiko Taka) by Joe and Katsumi.
This movie was ground breaking in so many ways when it was released. Usage of James Michener's story who was known to write many international themed movies was a fresh move for Hollywood, and it was one of the first movie not to stereotype Asians as Charlie Chan type characters. It was also one of the first movie to cast Japanese as Japanese in their roles, not Americans with an Asian make up ( well not completely as Ricardo Montalban's character shows, and Hanaogi was supposed to be played by Audrey Hepburn until she declined the part ). In any case, the main characters were played by Brando and a new comer who was working as a travel agent in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles at the time, Miiko Taka. She was one of the first Asian woman to portray Asians in their native role. Likes of her showed that Asians can portray themselves much better than an American actors posing as Asians. She also showed that Asian beauty can be on equal footings with their counterparts, which began the paradigm shift to cast Asians in their native role in Hollywood movies.
Marlon Brando may have been a rebel, but had no nonsense attitude about things. He was sensible in many ways about life which was taken to be unconventional at the time, but became more of a norm in society in subsequent years. Attitude of Major Gruver somewhat reflects his no nonsense ways he had with society, and he was the perfect actor to play the part. Miiko Taka had an outstanding regal presence in this movie. She was no second fiddle to anybody, and was perfect for her role as well.
The movie has style, and beauty all its own. Situations between the casts were very romantic. The movie showed that it's cool to date an Asian woman, which today no one even thinks twice about. A great movie in its production and style, and stands as a classic all on its own.
Major Gruver (Marlon Brando) stationed in Itami Japan is asked by his superior to convince his crew chief Airmen Joe Kelly (Red Buttons) to break off engagement with Katsumi (Miyoshi Umeki) - a Japanese girl. Interracial marriage was eschewed at the time, and somewhat thought to be out of form for Americans to marry an Asian, especially the Japanese who were their enemies in the recent war. Major Gruver tries to convince Joe that fine "real" American woman is what's really worth marrying until he is introduced to Hanaogi (Miiko Taka) by Joe and Katsumi.
This movie was ground breaking in so many ways when it was released. Usage of James Michener's story who was known to write many international themed movies was a fresh move for Hollywood, and it was one of the first movie not to stereotype Asians as Charlie Chan type characters. It was also one of the first movie to cast Japanese as Japanese in their roles, not Americans with an Asian make up ( well not completely as Ricardo Montalban's character shows, and Hanaogi was supposed to be played by Audrey Hepburn until she declined the part ). In any case, the main characters were played by Brando and a new comer who was working as a travel agent in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles at the time, Miiko Taka. She was one of the first Asian woman to portray Asians in their native role. Likes of her showed that Asians can portray themselves much better than an American actors posing as Asians. She also showed that Asian beauty can be on equal footings with their counterparts, which began the paradigm shift to cast Asians in their native role in Hollywood movies.
Marlon Brando may have been a rebel, but had no nonsense attitude about things. He was sensible in many ways about life which was taken to be unconventional at the time, but became more of a norm in society in subsequent years. Attitude of Major Gruver somewhat reflects his no nonsense ways he had with society, and he was the perfect actor to play the part. Miiko Taka had an outstanding regal presence in this movie. She was no second fiddle to anybody, and was perfect for her role as well.
The movie has style, and beauty all its own. Situations between the casts were very romantic. The movie showed that it's cool to date an Asian woman, which today no one even thinks twice about. A great movie in its production and style, and stands as a classic all on its own.