Sometimes there can be a film you rate so highly it slips your mind and it’s hidden away until a moment in time and something triggers that memory. Well it happened to me yesterday while watching a film leading me to conduct a search of an actors other films and there it was.
The film in question was the 1946 film “The Best Years of Our Lives” and winner of 7 Academy Awards including best film if you like “It’s a Wonderful Life” this is a film for you.
The end of the Second World War three servicemen meet ready to ship home and hitch a ride on a bomber going to their home town Boone City the three are unknown to each other even though Boone City is small town America .
Fred Derry (Dana Andrews) is returning from Europe as a decorated captain and bombardier from the Eighth Air Force. Homer Parrish (Harold Russell), was a petty officer in the Seventh Fleet when he lost both hands from burns suffered when his fleet aircraft carrier was sunk, and now uses mechanical hook prostheses and Al Stephenson (Fredric March) served with the 25th Infantry as a platoon sergeant in the Pacific the oldest of the group.
This is an entirely character driven story that doesn't depend on sex and violence to carry the narrative. The chemistry between the three male leads are largely responsible for this. The women are also a revelation. Myrna Loy as March's wife Milly Stephenson hits all the right notes as the beleaguered wife, Teresa Wright shines as their bewildered daughter, unwillingly caught in a love triangle between Fred Derry and his wife, Marie, memorably portrayed by Virginia Mayo. Cathy O'Donnell is achingly poignant as Homer Parrish's girlfriend Wilma Cameron.
The three veterans have their own personal story. Fred Derry before leaving for the war, impulsively married a showgirl (Virginia Mayo) who turns out is only interested in money and having a good time. Homer and his long-time girlfriend Wilma had plans to marry, but fears she won't accept him with his physical disability, and Al Stephenson returns to his banker's job and a family who has grown up while he's been away. Fred falls for Al’s daughter leading to friction between the two friends.
The relationship between Homer and Wilma I find fascinating and with three main characters the film is just shy of three hours long and well worth your time.
The home coming for Homer was bitter sweet is young sister and family comes rushing out to greet him and his girlfriend Wilma who lives next door rushes to greet him and as she hugs him he just coldly looks in to space. Then the family begin one by one to notice his hooked hands. In another scene, he invites Wilma to his bedroom showing her how when he takes his hooks off he feels no better than a baby unable to do anything himself but she loves him.
The wedding scene between Homer and Wilma are the focuses of the entire room, when it comes to putting the ring on Wilma finger which he succeed in doing but as Homer and his girl are getting married, we can also see Fred and Al's daughter, Peggy, professing their love to each other. I would recommend this excellent film to anyone who loves movies.
My Rating
No comments:
Post a Comment