If Tomorrow Comes

If Tomorrow Comes is a 1973 drama film starring Marlo Thomas and Charles Siebert. The movie is a poignant portrayal of a forbidden love blossoming during the tumultuous and restrictive period of World War II. The film begins in the early 1940s in California, where Japanese-American citizens are facing widespread prejudice and hostility due to fears of espionage and disloyalty, despite the vast majority of them being loyal American citizens. Emily "Em" Taylor, a beautiful and spirited young woman of European-American descent, works as a waitress at a local diner. Meanwhile, Kenji "Ken" Okada, a talented and handsome Japanese-American artist, becomes a frequent patron of the diner. Despite the societal norms that discourage relationships between people of different racial backgrounds, Em and Ken start to secretly meet and fall deeply in love. As their bond grows stronger, the couple begins to confront the harsh realities of the world around them. They face resistance from Em's disapproving parents, who do not want her to associate with a Japanese-American man, and the racism faced by Ken's community. Undeterred by the obstacles, Em and Ken decide to take their love to the next level and marry in secret on December 7, 1941, just minutes before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack serves as a pivotal moment in the film, symbolizing the devastating consequences of war and the fragile nature of their relationship. The aftermath of the attack leads to a wave of anti-Japanese hysteria, with many Japanese-Americans being forcibly relocated to internment camps. Em and Ken are forced to part ways, with Ken's family being separated and sent to an internment camp. As the war escalates, Em and Ken are separated by the vast distance between their hometowns, with Ken being relocated to a camp on the opposite side of the country. Despite the emotional separation, their love remains strong, and they continue to rely on letters and occasional visits to sustain their relationship. As the war comes to an end, Em and Ken are reunited, but the trauma they experienced and the societal prejudices they faced have left lasting scars on their relationship. They are forced to confront the harsh realities of their past and the uncertain future that lies ahead. The film's climax is a poignant portrayal of the couple's struggle to overcome the obstacles that stand between them and their happiness. Through a series of emotional confrontations and introspective moments, Em and Ken are ultimately able to reconcile and find a way to rebuild their lives together. If Tomorrow Comes is a powerful and moving portrayal of a forbidden love against the backdrop of a tumultuous historical period. The film explores themes of prejudice, racism, and the human spirit's capacity for resilience and love in the face of adversity.