The film attempts to address some genuinely moving themes, yet it doesn't quite manage to hold your attention as it progresses at a pace that feels excessively slow over its two and a half-hour length. The story unfolds in Korea shortly after the war, centering on “Joe” (Red Buttons) who finds himself falling for a Japanese woman. This situation is problematic because fraternization is forbidden, putting him at risk of court martial. Things become even more complicated when he decides to marry “Katsumi” (Miyoshi Umeki) and asks his American supervisor "Maj. Gruver" (Marlon Brando) to be his best man. The circumstances are further muddied by the fact that "Gruver," in addition to being the son of a high-ranking general, struggles to grasp why his friend would be willing to give up his US citizenship for this marriage. As events unfold, it’s revealed that “Gruver” is engaged to “Eileen” (Patricia Owens), who is also the daughter of a general—but their relationship faces challenges when "Hana-ogi" (Miiko Taka) enters the picture, and the major begins to understand his friend “Joe” much better. Somewhat unexpectedly, “Eileen” shows some understanding, allowing for an examination of how the occupying forces viewed relationships between personnel and local people, even marriages. In a way, it serves as an invitation to examine one's own prejudices, particularly considering the fresh wounds from World War II; the film uses these extreme scenarios to suggest that reconciliation might arise from the hatred, brutality, and mistrust fostered by rules designed not with ethnicity in mind, but rather to prevent a wave of new citizens entering the US after the troops returned. James Garner’s “Bailey” adds another layer to the situation as he also becomes infatuated with a young dancer, though his role feels somewhat underdeveloped. There's one particularly distressing scene where "Katsumi" is so desperate to fit in that she considers paying a doctor to alter her appearance—a shocking idea at any time, but also indicative of a situation where genuine love triumphed over mere convenience. Despite the compelling subject matter and strong emotional performances from Buttons and Umeki, Brando and Garner seem somewhat detached, and there’s simply too much dialogue as it takes an extended period to convey its message. The film is visually appealing with a vibrant aesthetic and dance sequences that capture Korean culture, which for many felt like one occupying force replaced by another. It's worth seeing, but could have benefited from greater focus.

Source on TMDB