Sayonara
Seen it?1957 | 147 min | Drama, Romance
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It won 4 Oscars and it earned strong reviews (82% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite a box office flop. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics. If you loved The Bridges of Madison County or Mrs. Miniver, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 27 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1957: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Air Force Major Lloyd Gruver is reassigned to a Japanese air base and is confronted with US racial prejudice against the Japanese people. The issue is compounded because a number of the soldiers become romantically involved with Japanese women, in defiance of US military policy. Ordinarily, a by-the-book officer, Gruver must take a position when a buddy of his, an enlisted man, Joe Kelly, falls in love with a Japanese woman, Katsumi, and marries her. Gruver risks his position by serving as best man at the wedding ceremony.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
82% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.7 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 4 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor, Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress, Academy Awards: Best Art Direction, Academy Awards: Best Sound. Won 2 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture, Golden Globe Awards: Best Director – Motion Picture. Also nominated for 6 more Oscars, 3 more Golden Globes and 1 BAFTA. Plus 2 other awards.
- Reach & staying powerWeak
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 21K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Joshua Logan
- Marlon BrandoMajor Lloyd Gruver
- Patricia OwensEileen Webster
- James GarnerCapt. Mike Bailey
- Martha ScottMrs. Webster
- Miiko TakaHana-ogi
- Miyoshi UmekiKatsumi
- Red ButtonsJoe Kelly
- Kent SmithGen. Webster
- Douglass WatsonCol. Craford
- Reiko KubaFumiko-san