That's pretty much what I thought of this film. I half expected Brando to start yelling "SUKIYAKI!!!" at the top of his lungs as he walks down an alleyway in Japan. I was amazed to learn that Brando was nominated for an Oscar for this film, because for the life of me I can't see what a woman would see in his character, especially a Japanese woman. (Yes, I'm female.) Brando kind of mumbles through the whole thing, and his character doesn't have any kind of intelligence or kindness.
I'm sure this movie was a big deal in 1957. It actually does a reasonably good job of bringing up issues with interracial marriages, which is still a hot topic in large portions of the world. However, a movie that I think addresses the topic in a more interesting and timeless fashion is "The Bitter Tea of General Yen," starring Barbara Stanwyck and directed by Frank Capra. "General Yen" impressed me a great deal, whereas "Sayonara" did not.
The happy surprise in this film was Red Buttons' performance. My only previous exposure to Red Buttons was in things like Dean Martin roasts when I was a kid. I didn't understand why he was famous. Buttons earned/won an Oscar for his sympathetic portrayal of a open-minded man who marries a Japanese woman and willingly learns Japanese culture because of his love. I'm not convinced the Brando character would ever do that.
I'm sure this movie was a big deal in 1957. It actually does a reasonably good job of bringing up issues with interracial marriages, which is still a hot topic in large portions of the world. However, a movie that I think addresses the topic in a more interesting and timeless fashion is "The Bitter Tea of General Yen," starring Barbara Stanwyck and directed by Frank Capra. "General Yen" impressed me a great deal, whereas "Sayonara" did not.
The happy surprise in this film was Red Buttons' performance. My only previous exposure to Red Buttons was in things like Dean Martin roasts when I was a kid. I didn't understand why he was famous. Buttons earned/won an Oscar for his sympathetic portrayal of a open-minded man who marries a Japanese woman and willingly learns Japanese culture because of his love. I'm not convinced the Brando character would ever do that.