Movie Stats:
Released 1946 (USA)
American, in English
Director – William Wyler
Stars – Frederic March, Dana Andrews, Harold Russell, Myrna
Loy, and Theresa Wright
Plot Summary:
Follows 3 WWII vets – Army sergeant Al Stephenson (March),
Air Force captain Fred Derry (Andrews), and sailor Homer Parrish (Russell) – as
they attempt to adjust to life after the war. Loy stars Al’s wife Milly &
Wright (whom we might remember from Mrs. Miniver) stars as his daughter Peggy.
Bad Stuff:
At nearly 3 hours, this movie is as long as it feels. I had
to take two days to watch it because I just couldn’t get through it all in one
sitting.
I love that it starred Harold Russell, an actual WWII vet
who lost both of his hands in a non-combat related incident during the war and
was given hooks to replace them. I thought he did a phenomenal job. However, I
was turned off by how his character was used. Many times when he was on-screen,
the film turned very preachy, very “wounded vets just want to be treated like
everybody else and we’ll hammer that point repeatedly until you understand.”
Sometimes I felt like I was watching an after school special. I get what they
were trying to do. I don’t even necessarily disagree. However, I felt like the
message could’ve been delivered much more subtly, without treating moviegoers
like they’re dense children.
Good Stuff:
Andrews was fantastic. I feel that he deserved to win Best Actor Oscar for this film, rather than March. (Russell’s win, for Best Supporting,
was, in my opinion, well-deserved though. He’d never acted before this film.)
I really admire this film for tackling a lot of tough
issues. Having grown up long after WWII was over, the narrative I always heard
was that the vets just came back and got on with their lives, as “real men” do.
So it was nice to see a movie that showcased what these vets actually went
through, how they came home with both physical and mental scars to families
with whom they had trouble connecting. They faced unemployment and
underemployment, alcoholism, infidelity, and divorce. I felt like the film
addressed all of these issues with sensitivity, sympathy, and wit.
The Verdict:
I enjoyed it far, far more
than I had anticipated. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s an extremely
enjoyable, heartfelt film. I think everyone should see it at least once. I give
this movie 4 stars.
Bonus Movie Fun Fact: Wyler also directed the 1942 Best Picture winner, "Mrs. Miniver."
4 comments:
I've been wanting to see this, though not enough to make it happen. And three hours, sheesh. Was there an intermission? I love coming across intermissions in movies. Sweet Charity has one.
In a not that isn't related to anything, I've always loved Myrna Loy's name. It just kind of lolls about on the tongue.
No intermission. The only Best Picture winners I recall having an intermission are some of the really early ones, "Wings" and "The Great Ziegfield." Maybe "Cavalcade," but I honestly don't recall.
I say don't let the lengthy running time turn you off though. I think it's worth it. It's a pretty compelling movie.
Sadly, like many actors, especially in those days, "Myrna Loy" was a stage name. Her given name was Myrna Adele Williams. I loved her character in this movie - gently, lovingly indulging of her husband.
I think we need to bring back the name Myrna. And Adele, for that matter.
Well, I suspect that now there's a popular singer named Adele, we'll probably be seeing more girls named that. Not so sure about Myrna though. That one might just be too old-fashioned.
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