Based on a celebrated book by Kuniko Mukoda, this film directed by Yasuo Furuhata tells of a close friendship undone by love. The title of the film, A Un, is a Japanese expression meaning an utter understanding between friends and lovers, and old army pals Kadokura (played by Japanese film icon Ken Takakura) and Miyata (Eiji Bando) certainly fit the bill. Kadokura is the owner of a small business where Miyata works. Kadokura is also in love -- though quite platonically -- with Miyata's wife Tami (Sumiko Fuji). Though there is no kissing or groping, the growing emotional connection between the two is obvious to even Miyata's teenaged daughter Satoko (Yasuko Tomita). Slowly, as the friendship between the two chums starts to disintegrate, Miyata finds solace in the form of a young geisha (Mie Yamamoto). Fearing that Miyata's extramarital dalliances might hurt Tami, Kadokura sets out to win the geisha over for himself, which obviously does not please his former friend. The film's melodrama is set in 1937, a setting depicted with unabashed, dewy-eyed nostalgia. Nobuko Miyamoto also appears in this film as Kodakura's lovelorn wife.
~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide