Emperor

War films have been a staple genre since the beginning of film itself, so filmmakers have had to find a different approach to the genre to keep audiences wanting more. We've all seen American war films that practically could be used as propaganda films, but portraying this genre to enable us to see a glimpse of the other side, or the enemy, is something we're just not familiar with. One film that comes to mind in putting us in the shoes of 'the enemy' is that of "Letters from Iwo Jima". We were able to see wartime as these Japanese soldiers saw it. Now, we have "Emperor" in which we are forced to see yet another situation except our own.

This is a story of love and understanding set amidst the tensions and uncertainties of the days immediately following the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II. On the staff of General Douglas MacArthur (Tommy Lee Jones), the self-proclaimed ruler of Japan as Supreme Commander of the occupying forces, a leading Japanese expert, General Bonner Fellers (Matthew Fox), who has resided in Japan prior to the war, is charged with reaching a decision of incredible historical importance: should Emperor Hirohito (Takataro Kataoka) be tried and hanged as a war criminal? Interwoven is the story of Fellers' love affair with Aya Shimada (Eriko Hatsune), a Japanese exchange student he had met years previously in the U.S. Memories of Aya, along with his assistant, Takahashi (Masayoshi Haneda) researching her whereabouts in the ravaged post-war landscape, help Fellers to discover both his wisdom and his humanity, and to allow him to come to the huge decision that changed the course of history and the future of two nations.

Others to round out the cast are Toshiyuki Nishida as General Kajima, Kaori Momoi as Mitsuko Kajima, wife of Gen. Kajima, Colin Moy as General Richter, Will Wallace as CIC Commander, Masato Ibu as Koichi Kido, Masatoshi Nakamura as Fumimaro Konoe, Isao Natsuyagi as Teizaburo Sekiya, and Shohei Hino as Hideki Tojo.

This film was directed with compassion and challenges by Peter Webber ("A to Z of Wagner"  
(TV movie) '95, "The Temptation of Franz Schubert" (TV movie) '97, "Underground" (TV movie) '99, "Men Only" (TV movie) '01, "The Stepford Wives" (TV movie) '02, "Girl with a Pearl Earring" '03, "Hannibal Rising" '07). Webber was so effective in showing how Fellers was pulled from one position, to follow orders, and another position, to his passion for the Japanese country especially his love for Aya. This was written by David Klass and Vera Blasi based on the book, "His Majesty's Salvation" by Shiro Okamoto. Even though there were a few choppy areas in script, this was still a solidly well put together story.

The casting of Jones as MacArthur, Fox as Fellers, and Haneda as Takahashi was perfect. These guys portrayed these roles with forethought and pathos. These characters, plus others, leave you thinking well after the film's end.

If you liked Clint Eastwood's '06 "Letters from Iwo Jima". you'll love this. It really allows the audience to see war, and all its horrific effects, through the eyes of a culture that one usually wouldn't understand. So which is it? Is the decision, after this investigation based on politics, or based on compassion? Interesting how these two elements never seem to equate.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                           Rated: PG-13                            106mins.