← Back to results
Emperor
2012 105 min Japan, United States of America PG-13 12+
★5.9
Drama, History, War
Director: Peter Webber
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
As the Japanese surrender at the end of WWII, Gen. Fellers is tasked with deciding if Emperor Hirohito will be hanged as a war criminal. Influencing his ruling is his quest to find Aya, an exchange student he met years earlier in the U.S.
US Gross:
$3.35M
Worldwide:
$14.86M
Starring
Matthew Fox
Actor
Colin Moy
Actor
Tommy Lee Jones
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
Emperor is widely viewed as a well-intentioned but ultimately superficial historical drama that fails to fully capitalize on its complex premise. While the film strives for a balanced perspective on post-WWII US-Japan relations, it is frequently criticized for its uneven narrative, distracting subplots, and lack of genuine emotional depth.
| Acting | Tommy Lee Jones delivers a competent and confident performance that effectively anchors the film's depiction of General MacArthur. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative structure suffers from distracting and trivial subplots, such as the protagonist's search for a past romantic interest, which detract from the central historical inquiry. | |
| Production | The production design, particularly the sets and costumes, is criticized for appearing artificial and lacking in period authenticity. | |
| Direction | Opinions on the film's tone are divided: some appreciate the attempt to offer a respectful, non-preachy portrayal of historical figures, while others find the direction lacks the necessary gravity to handle such weighty subject matter. | |
| Theme | The film’s historical focus is debated; some critics view it as an objective look at victor-vanquished relations, while others argue it dangerously simplifies or glosses over the brutal realities of wartime atrocities. |