As romances go this isn’t a bad one. The first thing that I’d like to address is casting. Hollywood in its early days (and even sometimes today) is notorious in casting stars to play minorities that they look nothing like. A prime example of this is Charlton Heston playing a Mexican in TOUCH OF EVIL. But like that movie, the casting of Jennifer Jones (SONG OF BERNADETTE) as an Asian in this film works because the performance and story are good.
Jones’ character is also half Chinese and half English, which helps. Costumes, make-up, hairstyle and Jones’ subtle accent also help create a believable illusion. In my college days, this kind of thing would have enraged me. But I’ve lightened up since then. When casting Yul Brynner as an Asian in THE KING AND I, Hollywood displays its racism. But this is art and this is different times. I don’t write off Shakespeare’s plays because I know men originally performed the female parts. So if the performance is not demeaning then I cannot complain too much. I will admit though that casting against race is a dangerous thing, because if its not convincing than it can ruin the whole picture. But here it works.
Jones plays Dr. Han Suyin, a widowed medical doctor working in Hong Kong. She meets married news correspondent Mark Elliott (William Holden, PICNIC) at a party and an instant attraction develops. The main themes of the film are race, societal mores and of course love. Strangely enough I often felt Suyin and Mark seemed more in love when they were apart in the movie than when they were together. I’m not quite sure if that’s a good thing or bad. Holden and Jones don’t seem to light up the screen like some other romances, but that’s not to say they are acting poorly.
The film also has some great lines like “A great many mistakes are made in the name of loneliness.” As well, you’ll be humming the title song for days. The Hong Kong cinematography only adds to the pageantry. This is a classic love story done in a grand Hollywood tradition.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
