Allegiance is a Broadway musical starring George Takei, Lea Salonga, Telly Leung, Greg Watanabe, Christopher Nomura and Katie Rose Clarke with music by Jay Kuo and a story inspired by George Takei's life written by Marc Acito, Jay Kuo and Lorenzo Thione.
Because I dont want to be too spoilery this will be a relatively short review. Yes I know its a Broadway musical but I did see it in the movie theater therefore will be referring to it as a movie.
I loved this film!
Going in I didnt know what to expect. I was hoping to enjoy it and prayed that it would be good and I got more than I bargained for.
The night started out terribly. Printer ran out of ink so couldn't print my ticket but no biggie, just use the confirmation number. NOPE lol. The theater couldn't find my purchase in their system. Disheartened and angry I decide to go home. Just as I was about to leave I got in the long line of the ONE working kiosk. I was already there so what did I have to lose right?
SUCCESS! I got my ticket just in time to make it to my seat just as George Takei's introduction was ending. PHEW!
So let's get the negatives out of the way.
The production value is pretty low here. Like I said earlier I didn't know what to expect going in but with "Broadway musical" in the heading I was thinking of something on the level of a "Matilda" or a "Lion King". Instead it came off more like a local theater production. Once the show starts this is easily overlooked and mostly forgotten but it is noticeable.
That literally is the only complaint I have.
This is not just hyperbole: this film is a spiritual awakening. Yes I knew the horrors my brothers and sisters faced during this time. I've read the history texts, seen the documentaries and spoken to elders from both Japanese and Japanese-American . sides of the fence. Its one thing to KNOW, but to witness it happening? To be transported back in time and be immersed into the lives of the Kimura family? At times it was just too real. They definitely did not pull their punches. The language, violence, and the conditions of internment camps were so visceral I thought about leaving several times in the beginning. I was enraged, saddened, in tears BUT I was also inspired, filled with hope, and laughed. We truly go on a journey with this cast and they all deserve to be applauded for their incredible work.
No asian talent in America Hollywood? See Allegiance and be proven wrong.
Though there are other great characters in the show (my favorite being Frankie played by Michael K. Lee) who more then get their shine, this really is about the Kimura family, in particular siblings Sammy (played by Telly Leung) and Kei (played by the diva herself Lea Salonga, singing voice of "Mulan" and "Jasmine"). Right away I loved Kei and disliked Sammy but as the film went on the characters are developed to show complexity to their personas. Kei isn't just the doting mother figure for Sammy or the sweet compassionate girl we first meet. Nor is Sam just a slacker with little respect for his Japanese heritage. Through this tragedy they both find a hidden strength to compact against the injustice of the internment camps and though they are fighting for the same thing they both have different views on how to win back their freedom. None of these characters are simply black and white, another reason writers Marc Acito, Jay Kuo, and Lorenzo Thione should be praised.
It was brave and thought proking of them to not just paint things as "government is evil, japanese americans good". There are those Japanese-Americans who formed a resistance, who protested against their mistreatment but equally it was shown those who took on this burden, who dispite the treatment of them or their family stood as proud americans and volunteered to fight for a country that had taken their homes, land and in some cases their lives. They showed how everyone had valid points for the stances they made.
I would be remiss to not mention the music. One thing I was hoping to hear were songs in Japanese (my favorite singer is Utada Hikaru so sue me lol). I get that with "Gaman" and "Ishi Kara Ishi", both which are very inspirational. Though those are the two songs that resonated with me the most (especially "Ishi Kara Ishi", which brings me to tears every time) its the songs "Do Not Fight The Storm" and "Higher" that are the show stoppers. The performances both visually and vocally are top notch and the stories in the lyrics just ring with so much truth. The musical numbers are very subdued with only a few having any dance numbers in them, the power is in the message in the words. All substance, no flash.
If you can find a way to catch this film or the musical live I highly recommend it. And dont forget the soundtrack! Now available on Amazon and Itunes.