Last night I saw Sayonara and it was not what I expected. The ending was a complete surprise for me.
The film was made in 1957 and set in Japan right after the Korean War. Japan is ruled by MacArthur and lots of military men are stationed there...lots of single military men. Japan has lots of pretty single women. Now picture the idea that those men are not allowed to associate with those women. That's a military rule that is almost impossible to follow and enforce.
Given the above, our hero, who is played by Marlon Brando falls in love with a pretty woman who is a professional dancer and she is not allowed to marry--ever. Brando has a friend who actually marries a forbidden woman. (BTW about 10,000 fellows have already taken Japanese brides, with full knowledge that they cannot bring their brides to the US.) When the friend is ordered back to the US, he knows he cannot take his wife...so they do the proper Japanese thing--commit suicide.
When the movie ends...does Brando marry his love? Does she give up her career? Does he give up his military career? Do they commit suicide? I'm not going to tell you...it would be giving a lot of the plot away.
The setting for the film was gorgeous. Japanese gardens are beautiful, and there are many in the film. The music is good, including the theme song. The story of forbidden fruit is as old as mankind. If you get a chance to see it, do so. I think you will like it.
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