On the heels of the end of World War II, General Fellers (Matthew Fox) is assigned by General McArthur (Tommy Lee Jones) to conduct an investigation on whether Emperor Hirohito is guilty of starting the war between the United States and Japan. He is given only ten days to collect evidence and interview senior Japanese military officials to determine if Hirohito should be convicted of war crimes. His assignment in Japan also focuses on his search for his long lost Japanese girlfriend Aya who he used to know from the States. With the destruction of the city, as well as strict protocols with Japanese bureaucracy, he feels he is undertaking two lost causes. Later, as one military confidante leads him to one successful clue to another, he lands a hard-earned audience with the Emperor himself and assesses his fate and the state of relations between the two countries.
Click here to see the rest of this review...
Best part of story, including ending:
It shows us a glimpse of history not normally depicted in history books or history shows.
Best scene in story:
When General Fellers and Hirohito meet, and the former tries to reconcile the myth behind the "man", and the "sovereign." Both are impressive men of stature, both capable of honorable things.
Opinion about the main character:
Fellers was relentless in his search for the truth. He didn't cut corners and was really a man of honor. Even when faced with tremendous pressure from McArthur, he stood his ground and did the right thing.
