"The Teahouse of the August Moon" may not find its place in today's cinema due to potential accusations of anti-Asian prejudice and political incorrectness. However, it's essential to recognize that this film engages in gentle mockery of both Americans and Okinawans, aiming to present its narrative with a well-intentioned heart despite its relatively weak comedy.
The story commences with US Army Captain Fisby (Glenn Ford), a military misfit of sorts, receiving an assignment to bring 'democracy' to the village of Tobiki in Okinawa under the strict orders of his by-the-book commanding officer, Colonel Wainright Purdy III (Paul Ford), following the end of World War Ii.
Throughout the narrative, Sakini (Marlon Brando) acts as Fisby's English interpreter. Brando, who had witnessed the original play on Broadway, passionately sought the role of the wily and genial interpreter. He dedicated two months to studying local customs and endured extensive makeup sessions to transform into an Asian appearance.
While in modern times, some may object to a Caucasian playing the role of Sakini, it was less of an issue when the film was released. Regarding Brando's performance, one could consider it a reasonable attempt at the part.
A scene that perfectly captures the film's mild and inoffensive humor is when Sakini loads up Fisby's jeep with a family and their goat, much to the chagrin of Fisby and Purdy, who insist on adhering to army protocol. The yokels continuously outwit Fisby despite their lack of sophistication, leading to mildly amusing detours the family insists on.
Upon arriving in Tobiki, Fisby is greeted by villagers who shower him with gifts, even though they harbor low expectations due to their prior negative experience with the Japanese occupiers. These gifts, including a cricket cage, wooden shoes called gata, and a cup, hold symbolic significance, with Sakini explaining that the special August moon fills the cup with wisdom and maturity.
Fisby's ambition to construct a five-cornered schoolhouse shaped like the Pentagon is thwarted when the villagers express their differing priorities.
A less successful scene involves the geisha Lotus Blossom (Machiko Kyo), who has been given to Fisby. Fisby mistakenly believes geishas are prostitutes until Sakini corrects him. Afterward, he acquiesces to the demands of the head of the newly minted Women's League, who ask Lotus Blossom to train them in the art of being a geisha.
In today's context, some might view being a geisha as demeaning to women since they are trained to be subservient to men. Nevertheless, in the setting of the story, local women perceive such training as a step up in their social status. Similarly, the men support the construction of the teahouse over Fisby's school idea because teahouses are a symbol of prosperity not accessible to the poor villagers, who have only seen them in big cities.
The most touching scene in the film occurs when the teahouse comes to represent the prosperity the villagers aspire to achieve.
When Colonel Purdy learns that construction on the school has not begun, he sends the eccentric psychiatrist Captain McLean (Eddie Albert) to investigate. McLean, with his interest in organic farming, proves to be a refreshing character ahead of his time, openly criticizing pesticides, a remarkable stance for a film made in the '50s.
The plot progresses with Fisby authorizing the sale of the villagers' sweet potato brandy, which he sells to other army units at a profit, enabling the construction of the teahouse after his initial idea of selling hand-crafted souvenirs fails.
The film's second act 'dark moment' occurs when Colonel Purdy arrives and orders the destruction of the brandy-making operation along with the teahouse. Critics may view the depiction of the villagers saving the day as stereotypically duplicitous, but in reality, their actions display ingenuity. The restoration of the still and the teahouse evokes a sense of optimism as the forces of negativity are defeated.
The film's ultimate message lies in the lesson the Americans must learn: that American exceptionalism is counterproductive.
The actors in the film portray parts embodying low-level farcical humor. This is particularly evident in Glenn Ford's portrayal of Fisby as a good-natured pushover. On the other hand, Brando and Albert fare better in roles that require more wit.
While "The Teahouse of the August Moon" may not induce laughter out loud, it did play a significant role in restoring the American public's opinion of Japanese culture, which had been severely compromised during the war.
The story commences with US Army Captain Fisby (Glenn Ford), a military misfit of sorts, receiving an assignment to bring 'democracy' to the village of Tobiki in Okinawa under the strict orders of his by-the-book commanding officer, Colonel Wainright Purdy III (Paul Ford), following the end of World War Ii.
Throughout the narrative, Sakini (Marlon Brando) acts as Fisby's English interpreter. Brando, who had witnessed the original play on Broadway, passionately sought the role of the wily and genial interpreter. He dedicated two months to studying local customs and endured extensive makeup sessions to transform into an Asian appearance.
While in modern times, some may object to a Caucasian playing the role of Sakini, it was less of an issue when the film was released. Regarding Brando's performance, one could consider it a reasonable attempt at the part.
A scene that perfectly captures the film's mild and inoffensive humor is when Sakini loads up Fisby's jeep with a family and their goat, much to the chagrin of Fisby and Purdy, who insist on adhering to army protocol. The yokels continuously outwit Fisby despite their lack of sophistication, leading to mildly amusing detours the family insists on.
Upon arriving in Tobiki, Fisby is greeted by villagers who shower him with gifts, even though they harbor low expectations due to their prior negative experience with the Japanese occupiers. These gifts, including a cricket cage, wooden shoes called gata, and a cup, hold symbolic significance, with Sakini explaining that the special August moon fills the cup with wisdom and maturity.
Fisby's ambition to construct a five-cornered schoolhouse shaped like the Pentagon is thwarted when the villagers express their differing priorities.
A less successful scene involves the geisha Lotus Blossom (Machiko Kyo), who has been given to Fisby. Fisby mistakenly believes geishas are prostitutes until Sakini corrects him. Afterward, he acquiesces to the demands of the head of the newly minted Women's League, who ask Lotus Blossom to train them in the art of being a geisha.
In today's context, some might view being a geisha as demeaning to women since they are trained to be subservient to men. Nevertheless, in the setting of the story, local women perceive such training as a step up in their social status. Similarly, the men support the construction of the teahouse over Fisby's school idea because teahouses are a symbol of prosperity not accessible to the poor villagers, who have only seen them in big cities.
The most touching scene in the film occurs when the teahouse comes to represent the prosperity the villagers aspire to achieve.
When Colonel Purdy learns that construction on the school has not begun, he sends the eccentric psychiatrist Captain McLean (Eddie Albert) to investigate. McLean, with his interest in organic farming, proves to be a refreshing character ahead of his time, openly criticizing pesticides, a remarkable stance for a film made in the '50s.
The plot progresses with Fisby authorizing the sale of the villagers' sweet potato brandy, which he sells to other army units at a profit, enabling the construction of the teahouse after his initial idea of selling hand-crafted souvenirs fails.
The film's second act 'dark moment' occurs when Colonel Purdy arrives and orders the destruction of the brandy-making operation along with the teahouse. Critics may view the depiction of the villagers saving the day as stereotypically duplicitous, but in reality, their actions display ingenuity. The restoration of the still and the teahouse evokes a sense of optimism as the forces of negativity are defeated.
The film's ultimate message lies in the lesson the Americans must learn: that American exceptionalism is counterproductive.
The actors in the film portray parts embodying low-level farcical humor. This is particularly evident in Glenn Ford's portrayal of Fisby as a good-natured pushover. On the other hand, Brando and Albert fare better in roles that require more wit.
While "The Teahouse of the August Moon" may not induce laughter out loud, it did play a significant role in restoring the American public's opinion of Japanese culture, which had been severely compromised during the war.