This movie was horribly directed, horribly acted (with the notable exception of Pat Morita, Mari Sato, and Dennis Akayama, all of whom performed wonderfully), horribly edited and the music was just downright deplorable. Now that that's out of the way, onto what I really think. The story is not a new one but I greatly appreciate the way in which this one develops (even with the horrible performances). It is worth watching the movie for the story alone and I deeply appreciate that Pat Morita, a man who had a profound impact on me when I was a child, had a major hand in developing the story and writing the script. This story demands a retelling by professionals who can tell it the way it should have been told. With how Japanese culture has been hot at the box office of late, I truly think that this movie deserves to be remade with a respectable budget, stronger actors, and a much, much, much better director not only would doing so serve to a give this story the attention that it richly deserves but it would also serve to honor Pat Morita, a great man whose recent passing is a tremendous loss to the movie industry and the world in general.
7 Reviews
Beautiful indeed.
geeksochic20 May 2004
I happened upon it by surprise while watching TV a few days ago. When it was over, I looked up the next showing time and set my VCR to tape it. And I don't waste tape on trash. I've been in love with Japanese culture for years and am all about anime and manga. But I'm not limited to either so I was happy to sit and watch this cute love story set in Japan. Plus it was an 80s movie and I usually like those. I was so drawn into the story and the characters...I just couldn't get enough of "Robert-san"! He was so cute in his initial ignorance of the customs! I didn't want it to end. Didn't help that the end theme's lyrics were "It's over!".
Actress blackballed for love scene?
garyjwms-214 December 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Saw this movie years ago, and recently found it on Netflix Instant play. I just have a soft spot for this movie with all its limitations... I must say that Pat Morita is basically playing Mr. Miyagi's long lost brother in this film ...
But the point I want to raise is this ... Mari Sato, who plays Miyoko in this film, did not appear in any motion picture after this role, which was really unfortunate. However, I suspect, and I have heard this to be the case, that because her character has a sexual relationship with a Western (non-Japanese) character, some segment of the Japanese movie-going population finds that to be out-of-bounds, and the result appears to be that Ms. Sato has been blacklisted from getting any further movie roles.
Something similar happened to a different Japanese actress -- Aya Takanashi (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0847328/) appeared in Mr. Baseball (1992) as Tom Selleck's love interest. That film was an international box office success, and despite her excellent performance, she, like Mari Sato, has never appeared in a film role again. What they share in common is that their characters were portrayed in an on-screen romantic/sexual relationship with a gaijin male.
In both films, the sex is never depicted, but rather innocently implied. There are kissing scenes, and that's about it. However, I guess the idea that these two actresses play Japanese women who have sex with foreigners was repugnant enough that it warranted their ouster from the movie industry. How sad, unfair, and let's be honest, how sexist and racist as well! Granted, both movies are now 20-25 years old, and I wonder if the mores of the Japanese movie-going public, and the movie industry have changed. But I put this out there -- have there been other examples of Japanese actresses meeting the same fate? Can anyone confirm or challenge this theory?
But the point I want to raise is this ... Mari Sato, who plays Miyoko in this film, did not appear in any motion picture after this role, which was really unfortunate. However, I suspect, and I have heard this to be the case, that because her character has a sexual relationship with a Western (non-Japanese) character, some segment of the Japanese movie-going population finds that to be out-of-bounds, and the result appears to be that Ms. Sato has been blacklisted from getting any further movie roles.
Something similar happened to a different Japanese actress -- Aya Takanashi (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0847328/) appeared in Mr. Baseball (1992) as Tom Selleck's love interest. That film was an international box office success, and despite her excellent performance, she, like Mari Sato, has never appeared in a film role again. What they share in common is that their characters were portrayed in an on-screen romantic/sexual relationship with a gaijin male.
In both films, the sex is never depicted, but rather innocently implied. There are kissing scenes, and that's about it. However, I guess the idea that these two actresses play Japanese women who have sex with foreigners was repugnant enough that it warranted their ouster from the movie industry. How sad, unfair, and let's be honest, how sexist and racist as well! Granted, both movies are now 20-25 years old, and I wonder if the mores of the Japanese movie-going public, and the movie industry have changed. But I put this out there -- have there been other examples of Japanese actresses meeting the same fate? Can anyone confirm or challenge this theory?
Emotionally Poignant, Beautiful Scenery, Gentle Acting
fngcload25 January 2001
This is one of my favorite "SLEEPER" movies. I found it while cruising the video store on a dreary gray spring day several years ago and I always recommend it to anyone who is looking for something different.
The story is well told and very well acted. It takes place during winter in Northern Japan during World War II. An American bomber is shot down and the 2 flyers parachute into an isolated region near a village that only has women, children and old men living in it as all of the young men are in military service. Pat Morita is the leader of the village and lives with his granddaughter. The village needs much work done and it is decided to keep the Americans and have them to some of the chores in the village. The military is searching for them but the villagers hide them. The Chris Makepeace character falls in love with the granddaughter and the all Michael Sarazin character wants is to escape. The cinematogrophy is amazing - the starkness of a Japanese winter is breathtaking. I won't tell any more of the story so as not to sway anyone to or from this wonderful film. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to see a gentle sweet film. There is some minor violence but it is not gratuitous. And, remember, it is a film that takes place during a war.
The story is well told and very well acted. It takes place during winter in Northern Japan during World War II. An American bomber is shot down and the 2 flyers parachute into an isolated region near a village that only has women, children and old men living in it as all of the young men are in military service. Pat Morita is the leader of the village and lives with his granddaughter. The village needs much work done and it is decided to keep the Americans and have them to some of the chores in the village. The military is searching for them but the villagers hide them. The Chris Makepeace character falls in love with the granddaughter and the all Michael Sarazin character wants is to escape. The cinematogrophy is amazing - the starkness of a Japanese winter is breathtaking. I won't tell any more of the story so as not to sway anyone to or from this wonderful film. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to see a gentle sweet film. There is some minor violence but it is not gratuitous. And, remember, it is a film that takes place during a war.
Best I've seen in a long time
mike_macairan3 January 2006
I stumbled across this movie in a video rental shop in Tokyo, Japan. The cover didn't really look all that interesting so I didn't expect much, but I have to say it turned out to be the best movie I had seen in years.
I have looked for it many times since moving back to the US in 2000 but I couldn't remember the title. I finally found it, and bought it, this year.
Noriyuki "Pat" Morita gave a stellar performance and this is one that he should be remembered for.
I highly recommend this film.
I have looked for it many times since moving back to the US in 2000 but I couldn't remember the title. I finally found it, and bought it, this year.
Noriyuki "Pat" Morita gave a stellar performance and this is one that he should be remembered for.
I highly recommend this film.
Some comments on Captive Hearts
envitality15 January 2001
Great Film
BryanBoyle29 August 2002
A great film that is well thought out and very enjoyable, a good movie to cuddle up to a loved one with!
I enjoyed it and would recommend it to any one who likes a fair paced movie, with a great but some what sad ending
I enjoyed it and would recommend it to any one who likes a fair paced movie, with a great but some what sad ending
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