Sessue Hayakawa’s sensitive look at the creative process of an eccentric painter is a production of rare beauty. Determined to craft a positive showcase for Japanese culture in Hollywood, Hayakawa and his co-star/wife Tsuru Aoki threw themselves into their roles and the result is a lovely, melancholy film that exceeds its ambitions.
How does it end? Hover or tap below for a spoiler.
Realizing that Hayakawa puts his love for her above his gifts as a painter, Aoki fakes suicide and only returns when he accepts that his talent comes before all.
If it were a dessert it would be: Sugar Sculpture. A thing of beauty that brings a variety of pleasures.
You can read my full-length review here.
Availability: Released on DVD by Milestone.
Movies Silently 
It is indeed a lovely film.
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I plan on getting this one soon. On the issue of Hayakawa, what did you think of The Secret Game?
It’s been just ages since I saw it. I think I liked it but I’m not sure. đŸ˜‰ May have to go back & check it out.
Thanks for making me aware of this film. I have only seen Sessue Hayakawa in The Cheat, and I thought his performance was very impressive in that—understated, yet powerful.
Yes, it’s very interesting to read reactions to that performance. I think it was Bessie Love who said his scenes in The Cheat taught her how to act.