Customer Reviews

Captive Hearts [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Captive Heart is a movie that is not your typical World War II American vs. Japanese war drama. It involves a segment of Japan that is little considered; the civilian population. You can see the effect of the bombing on the population, little food and fuel. Foraging parties are stripping the land for anything that will support life. Many are resigned to what is going on, while a few die hards are totally immersed in the thought that Japan will ultimately win the war. Into this fall, literally, two American airmen and it is the story of one of them that is the basis of this movie. He arrives not particulary fond of Japan and the people but manages to fall in love with the daughter of a local retired Army office.

While not a box office smash, this is a film that is well made. It leaves the viewer uncertain if the two lovers will ultimately be united, as the American is shown paddling a boat away from shore heading for freedom. Does he make and do they make it, are unanswered. The ensemble cast are well chosen and the subject is a thoughtful one.

Acting is ok. Dad does it the best. The bad guy does it almost as good but everyone else is just ok....
Cultural accuracy has little to do with anything here. What the hero gets away with is just NOT what he'd get away with. And we are all very happy the girl-interest talks English as if she had lived in the US for more than two decades. Equally as amazing; dad picks up English almost as easily.

There is a famous saying in Japan; "the nail that sticks up, gets hammered down". You just have to suspend reality if you watch this flick.

If you like American meets Japanese girl in impossible circumstances... American gets girl and her dad to compromise ALL cultural, political and societal taboos...then...well, we'll skip that part... then well, we can't give away the ending.... You'll like this movie.
Let's just say the villan had the best, most accurate part in the whole flick.

And, I'm a sucker for this kind of movie......

This was a very good, but little known, movie. Whenever I talk about it, I have never met anyone else who has seen it. It's really a shame, because it IS a good movie.