Wisely, the movie details Countess Sofia Belinskya’s relationship with her extended family. Although it slows down the film and the development of the romance, the way Sofia’s family mistreats her is heart-breaking and encourages the viewer to wish her the best in developing a romantic relationship with her boss. Similarly, the movie follows Todd Jackson’s relationship with a Japanese man (Hiroyuki Sanada) who speaks flawless but slow English. It is one time we see the embittered Jackson happy, and the Japanese man helps him develop the desired cosmopolitan atmosphere in his club. But the man turns out to be a high-ranking point man for the Japanese invasion, and this brings us face to face with the movie’s second and worthwhile theme of how involved we should be with “the big canvas” being painted internationally versus how successful we can be creating a safe and happy microcosm.
posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 1:25 AM by JimBell