Customer Reviews

Teahouse of the August Moon [VHS]

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Genetically, I am Japanese, so I was all set to hate this film for Marlon Brando's casting as an Okinawan. I was astonished to find myself loving his performance; I feel he perfectly captured the sardonically innocent attitude of Sakini, and suddenly developed a huge respect for his acting talents. Next, I started listening to the dialogue, and was amazed at its wittiness, intelligence, and perceptiveness. In fact, the title ("The Teahouse of the August Moon") never remotely suggested "comedy" to me; I was expecting another dreary wartime American Soldier / Japanese Geisha tale. Discovering this film to be among the best-written comedies in American Theatre history was the nicest shock I've had for a while. This is on a par with "MASH" in its smart skewering of the American military mind. But more important to me was the film's debunking of oriental stereotypes. A handful of Okinawans prove, in the end, to be more intelligent, resourceful, realistic, and adaptable than the entire US Government, simply by being themselves. To all so-called "Asian Americans": get over your (understandable) objections to "yellowface" and watch this film. I do agree that putting Marlon Brando in Oriental makeup would be unforgivably racist now, but I accept the reality that that was how things were routinely done in 1950s American film and theatre. Look past the makeup and you'll discover an absolutely wonderful film.

I've known that there was a film with the title "The Teahouse of the August Moon" for years but never had any interest in viewing it. I probably had it confused with "Sayonara", Marlon Brando's other post WWII Japan film. And there was never any reason to suspect that it was anything but a light comedy, as it was based on a stage play.

But it turns out that rather than just a comedy, it is more like a subtly subversive satire on America's staggering conceit as a righteous force of change in the world. How they managed to convince the studio and the public that it was just a harmless little comedy would make a great story itself, considering that it was made during the blacklist days of red-baiting and mega paranoia. My guess is that its patronizing portrayal of Japanese culture, and its characterization of the Okinawans as simple childlike islanders provided sufficient misdirection to throw our guardians off the scent. Hollywood was pretty good at slipping stuff like this into the mainstream, where the actual nature of the satire was only apparent to the most discerning viewers.

As others have noted, the film's message is actually more relevant today than at the time of its release; what with America's botched meddling in Viet Nam, Lebanon, Somalia, and Iraq. As "The Teahouse of the August Moon" illustrates, there seems to be a national compulsion to change the world and a chronic failure to realistically evaluate the complexities of these little adventures.

On the flip side, many of those who attack the film as racist are also critical of "Eurotrip" for its stereotyped portrayal of Europe; failing to recognize that the target of both films is America and its simplistic view of the rest of the world.

Anyway, "Teahouse" takes place shortly after the end of WWII as Captain Fisby, a Army Civil Affairs officer (Glenn Ford), is detailed to an Okinawan village to teach the natives about "democracy". His most important task is to construct a "pentagon" shaped school for the children. But with the arrival of a Geisha named Lotus Blossom (Machiko Kyo) the villagers decide that a teahouse (basically a copy of the Geisha houses they have heard about in the cities) should be built instead. When it appears that Fisby has become too acclimated to the native culture, his commanding officer sends a psychiatrist (Eddie Albert) to the village to evaluate his fitness for duty. Albert is soon co-opted and stays on in the village indulging his fantasy of running a farm.

Marlon Brando plays a native interpreter and carries it off quite nicely, in fact the whole cast is solid with Kyo unexpectedly effective and very charming. Speaking only Japanese (and without subtitles), her performance is similar to some of the best silent film stuff. Although Brando translates her more important lines for Fisby (and for the audience) her nonverbal performance communicates so much that you are rarely even aware of the language gap. Brando does a nice commentary to begin and end the film.

While "Teahouse" is hardly Oscar material it is entertaining and of considerable historical/ cultural interest.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

When will we see a DVD??? (in widescreen please) Loved the movie but watching it on fullscreen VHS does ruin things a bit. Hope Warner Brothers will see what a gem theyve got in this movie and release a DVD soon.

A timeless comedy/drama filmed on Okinawa with a cast of local extras who had only recently survived a battle of overwhelming devastation. Okinawan culture and philosophy rules the day,and a witty,insightful script plays to the foibles of military culture.Great music,dance and poignant romance. Standout performances from this ensemble cast,but look for that hidden gem in the role of Lotus Blossom;Machoko Kyo of Kurosawa's 'Rashomon'.

Teahouse is an exceptionally good comedy, especially looking at all the horrible tripe put out the last 20 years as "comedy". Marlon Brando is a scream in this movie and you are hooked in the first 30 seconds. Unfortunately, the VHS version is a P & S version and the movie suffers greatly. But there is an alternative! The widescreen version is 'available'. Turner Classic Movies shows this movie about twice a year in the letterbox format.

I don't think anyone who hasn't lived in Japan or Okinawa can truly 'get' this film. Having lived there for 3 1/2 years in the mid-80's, courtesy of the U.S. Navy, this is one of my all-time favorite fims, ever. It truly captures the warmth and intelligence of the Japanese & Okinawan cultures. Marlon Brando is wonderful - and very believeable - as Sakini. We laugh just as hard every time we see this film. I can't wait for a widescreen DVD!

We just spent 4 years in Okinawa and it is a paradise on earth. The people are what make the island a great place to be. This film presents the wonderful aspects of the island and is hilarious in showing how the US Army tries to run the island after the war and the travails of one Capt. who tries to build what the Okinawans actually want. The author of the book (which is also excellent, and is different enough from the movie to warrant its purchase) was stationed on Okinawa and the story reflects an awareness of the island and the actions of the Army. This is a great movie that can be watched over and over. The movie is especially relevant given what is going on currently in Iraq - it makes you wonder if there will be similar stories from our building up of Iraq.

As someone who was in a production of "Teahouse of the August Moon", I loved this movie. Most directors do not suggest watching a movie of the play before starting rehearsal because most movies are worse than their plays. However, our director showed the film at one of our rehearsals and it gave a place to aspire to go. I recommend anyone to see this film and have fun with the subtle comedy and life lessons.

I lived on Okinawa 3 yrs. Last 2 in the US Navy and 3rd as a civilian. I feel like i've known every Okinawan characher portraid in the movie. I've located every town or village mentioned in the movie, except Tobiki.
The US Navy was first put in charge of reconstruction of the Civilian Society after the war. Until Gen. McArthor took his place in Tokyo, then he changed that to the US Army. After the Army took over, the Okinawans refer to those years as the hell years of Okinawa. Upon repration with Japan, they wanted the US Army out. Now,the US Army has the smallest no. of people on Okinawa.

This movie is a classic, with its gentle humor and wry look at the US versus the "uncivilized" as fresh and as poignant as it was when first filmed. It's been a family favorite of ours for decades.

I'm writing this review to warn potential buyers about the format of the video. It's not letterbox, and sometimes all you can see is a window and, on the edges, two characters' noses and a couple of hands, while you hear the witty and charming dialog. It's unfortunately quite distracting from the movie. I was disappointed, but so pleased to have a decent copy of this classic, that I'll keep it anyway. I'll just keep searching for a letterbox version.