“Sayonara” was based on a novel by James Michener. It is about an Air Force pilot, Lloyd 'Ace' Gruvin played by Marlon Brando, and one of his friends, Airman Kelly played by Red Buttons, who get transferred to Japan after the Korean War. Kelly is excited about the move because he's getting married to a Japanese girl .The military don’t like that their men are getting involved with Japanese women but Kelly doesn't care. Ace agrees to be his best man. Ace is engaged to a General's daughter who meets him in Japan, but after a fight the engagement and the relationship is over.
After seeing a show Ace falls in love with a Japanese actress, Hanah, who resists him at first, but eventually grows to love him too. Because it’s not allowed by the military or the Japanese officials to be with one another, they're forced to sneak around. Ace informs his fiancé and her family that he plans to ask Hanah to marry him. Trying to intervene, the military transfers Ace. Kelly is also transferred to end his marriage. Unwilling to be separated, Kelly and his wife commit suicide. On a layover in Tokyo, Ace meets up with Hanah, who's show is traveling through. Forgetting about the the military's feelings, Ace asks Hanah to marry him and she says yes.
Sayonara has everything you could hope for in a love story which includes excellent performances, passionate love scenes, drama, desperation, conflict, and heartbreaking tragedy. I also loved the beautiful scenery in the film and it has a good soundtrack. It is captivating to watch as an audience member as well because of the beautiful men and women cast in the film. The film is directed by Joshua Logan in 1957 and it won 4 oscars including best actor in a supporting role:Red Buttons, best actress in a supporting role: Miyoshi Umeki, best art direction and best sound. Miyoshi Umeki’s Academy Award win made her the first asian actor to win an Oscar. Marlon Brando is one of my favorite actors and I love that they chose him for the role. If it was me I would have given him the Oscar for best actor. "Sayonara" is a worthwhile film to see. It offers a glimpse into the American forces that occupied Japan in the years following WW2. It also offers a compelling story about people connecting across cultures and it gives a taste of what life may be like on the other side of the world.
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