Decided to re-watch this old Brando movie. Impressed by how lovely the cinematography is. But I was shocked at how Dull Brando was in the movie. And that's not a word I normally associate with Brando. Partly its Brando's performance. He not only plays Major Guvnor in a very subdued straight-laced way - he adopts a deep Southern drawl, and sounds like a dimwit. Despite being a West Point Grad and Jet Fighter pilot, Brando makes his character the dumbest guy in the room. Literally *every* character Brando talks to is sharper and more energetic. Man, his voice and affected accent really started to grate on me.
But its also the script.
Brando's character is almost completely passive for 2 hours and spends his time listening to the other characters. He listens to his Fiancee on why she doesn't want to get married, he listens her mother on why they should be married, he listens to Red Buttons tell him why interracial marriage is right, he listens to the General and Col. Claven tell him why Red Buttons is wrong. He listens/watches the Kabuki theater. He even listens to James Garner tell him where to get a date. And despite being the supposed Leading man, he's more Red Button's "Best Friend" than the other way round.
And then there's Brando's romance with Miiko Taka,
Which struck me as extremely brief and almost perfunctory. First, Taka doesn't show up till the 45 minute mark, and doesn't talk to Brando till 56 minutes in. We then get one five minute first date, then a montage of various love scenes (walks on the beach, etc.), a second 5 minute talk and BOOM they're in love. And there's not much more until the last 10 minutes, when Brando and Taka decide to get married despite both sides disapproving.
The Rest of the Movie
As I said, the cinematography is lovely & the acting by the supporting characters (except for Red Buttons who's terrible) is good. Even Ricardo Montaban seemed better the 2nd time round. But the pace is too slow -the Japanese theater seems like filler. And I was struck at how unnecessary the James Garner's characters was. Its too long at 2.5 hours. Conclusion: As propaganda for interracial marriage its well done. As a drama/romance its mediocre.
