Friday, April 19, 2024
Miles from the Mainstream
D. R. ZUKERMAN, proprietor
LPR At The Movies

MARCH 6, 2007 --

One week after the Oscars, LPR saw "Letters From Iwo Jima" and "Zodiac."

The latter movie held LPR's interest throughout, but LPR was wowed by the Clint Eastwood movie, perhaps, in part, because, for LPR, Ken Watanabe, the Japanese commander on Iwo Jima, bears a curious, perhaps, resemblance to Gregory Peck (LPR's favorite movie actor), a resemblance both physical and of temperament. (Think Atticus Finch meets General MacArthur behind the Japanese lines on Iwo Jima.)

For LPR, one of the film's poignant moments was Watanabe's reaction, in a flashback, to a question at the farewell dinner given for him, in the U.S. by his
American hosts.

Asked by the wife of an American officer what he would think if the United States and Japan went to war, his immediate response was that he thought they would make good allies.

"Letters' did not get an Oscar, but don't be surprised if it endures somewhat longer than this year's other Oscar-nominated films -- indeed, longer than director
Eastwood's Oscar-winning movies.