Sayonara

James Michener, himself a U.S. veteran of the Pacific war and married to a Japanese, wrote one of his earliest novels on the then controversial subject of romance among the former enemies. The novel follows two Americans who romance Japanese women, one with tragic results. The film gives a nice colorful richness to life in Kabuki theatre, post-war Japan and the USAF. Production design and costuming are first rate and lend the appropriate note of exoticness to the culture clash plot line. It is interesting that the script balances American bigotry toward the Japanese off against Japanese attitudes toward Americans. Miiko Taka lacks some credibility in the role of a famous entertainer - she neither dances nor sings particularly well - who in the book is almost a national treasure, leading to a scandal when she gets involved with an Air Force officer, Brando, who is very good here in a rare straight romantic role.