Picture Bride (1995)

Accurate depiction of Japanese Picture Brides

This is a surprisingly accurate account of what picture brides went through as they ventured out of Japan to marry Japanese laborers living in Hawaii who worked in the cane fields and pineapple plantations. It was a hard, grueling life, and quite often the men were much older than the brides. Japanese laborers were treated cruelly by the Portuguese lunas, which spurred them to earn enough to get out of their contracts and start their own businesses. The harsh life motivated Japanese to make life better for their offspring; education was and still is emphasized. Features Tamlyn Tomita of THE JOY LUCK CLUB fame. July 26, 2008

Valuable historical film about the Japanese-Hawaiian migration

This is a nice, quiet film honoring the migration of Japanese workers to the Hawaiian islands in the early part of the 20th Century. Other groups are seen as well, and the ethnic and class tensions between Japanese and Chinese immigrants, Filipinos, "haole" whites and Portuguese pianolo cowboys are explored with a light, honest touch. This artful film unfolds at a relaxed, almost dreamlike pace, mirroring the whispering calm of the moonlit cane fields where almost all the action takes place. This is a marvelous historical film, certainly of interest to anyone who is into Hawaiian culture or the history of pan-Pacific migration. Plus, it's gorgeously filmed, thoughtfully scripted and well acted. Recommended! (Joe Sixpack, Slipcue film reviews) May 14, 2008

Harsh paradise

This first-time effort by Hawaiian-born Kayo Hatta worked for me cuz it only skimmed the surface of the potential drama of the story. It could have wound up soggy with emotion. But it failed at melodrama and what remained were sedate glimpses of a lifestyle shockingly different than the paradise promised by planatation owners and bachelor laborers to "picture brides" across the sea.

Fortune smiled on Hatta when she was talked into casting Japanese actress Youki Kudoh. Youki's in almost every scene and she easily carried the film with her nuanced, adorable performance. Her offbeat cuteness and delicacy enhanced the fish-out-of-water quality of the movie.

Her famous countryman, Toshiro Mifune, only appeared briefly but vividly in his second-to-last film. Speaking of brief, you might recognize Jason Scott Lee in an uncredited appearance.

This is a nice film to look at. Very colorful -- which is odd for an American film. While it took advantage of the magnificent Hawaiian scenery, it was mostly shot in the deep-green, almost claustrophobic cane fields. A clever atmospheric choice.

I particularly liked the effort to present the language situation authentically rather than turn everything into American English. Probably more than half of the dialog is in Japanese (with subtitles). Most of the English is heavily accented pidgin (remember Hawaii Five-0?) with a wee bit of Scots English and American English. If you're alert, you'll notice a Filipino dialect.

Sadly, Kayo Hatto -- who conceived, produced, co-wrote (with her sister), and directed -- did only a few film shorts since. Then, in 2005, she drowned accidently at age 47. So this is her feature film legacy. It's not deep dramatically, but it's wide in texture. Aloha, Kayo. And mahalo. January 6, 2008

Mesmerising account of the picture brides

I can't believe I came upon this gem of a movie by accident - The Picture Bride is a haunting account of the journey of naive 16 year old Okinawan, Riyo [Youki Kudoh] who accepts a marriage proposal from far-flung Hawai'i, from a man whose only contact is through a picture and some letters.She accepts the proposal only because of her own sorry circumstances, bearing a social stigma associated with the demise of both her parents from a disease. Upon arrival however, Riyo is devastated to learn that her 'young' husband [as seen in the photos he sent] is actually a 43 year old man, older even than her deceased father. Matsuji [Akira Takayama] is aware of Riyo's aversion to him, and though eager to consummate their marriage, he patiently waits and bears with her impatience, rudeness, lack of adaptability etc.

The story moves along and we follow young Riyo's journey as a picture bride. She puts up with much hardship, toiling by day in the sugar plantation, and by night as a laundress, helping her friend, Kana [Tamlyn Tomita] who herself is a picture bride and in a tempestuous marriage marred by violence. Riyo's dream is to earn and save enough to make her way back to Japan, a fact her older husband is much aware of. Yet, as time passes, Riyo begins to form an attachment to her husband, who despite his unsophisticated ways and age, is at heart a patient and kind man.

The Picture Bride is a poignant movie that has humor, tenderness and is set against a historical and scenic backdrop. It is also enhanced by the appearance of legendary Japanese screen icon, Toshiro Mifune who plays the role of a travelling storyteller. Well-acted and beautifully told. January 2, 2008

I think there's a mistake, that's not him!

"Picture Bride" holds a very special place in my heart. My Mother was one of these women, who travelled across the Pacific, to Hawaii, to marry men they had never seen, except in photographs. The depiction of turn of the century Hawaii is accurate. Life was hard for plantation workers (this being one of the very few jobs the unskilled could hope to have), and wages low, but many couples managed families, nonetheless.

The story concerns a picture bride who, after meeting the man she has promised herself to, realizes that he is much older than the picture he sent. What follows is the journey she takes, in understanding that things could have been much worse, and that she is lucky to have found such a good man.

The views of the island are absolutely beautiful! Vistas unsullied by asphalt, glass and steel. There are many children of those picture brides, like myself, who appreciate the making of this film. It is a tribute to those women, who, by taking those first steps into the unknown, made their lives, in Hawaii. December 30, 2007

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