182. The Best Years Of Our Lives (1946)

Directed By William Wyler

Synopsis

Three servicemen return home after the Second World War and have to try to put their lives back together each one has their own problems adapting, but eventually all turns out for the best.

Review

This is a pretty good film, it won 7 Oscars and it is not hard to see why, the directing is inspired with a constant use of deep focus being used in the benefit of the plot, the acting is more then stellar, with a particular nod to one of my favourite actresses of the late 30's and 40's, Myrna Loy, who can deliver a line like no one else, with such dry humour that is at the same time sarcastic and tender.

Then you have the theme of the film, of course all ends well, we are at the time of the code after all and these men are heroes, they can't just all go to shit, but at least here the happy ending does not feel tacked on, even tough you are always expecting that something horrible is going to happen at the end of it, the happy ending does make sense.

Even if it does have a happy ending it is still a pretty strong condemnation of the conditions in which War Veterans found themselves after returning to the country that sent them out to war. The social consciousness of the film is actually pretty commendable, it is in no way glamorising war, while at the same time feeling deep compassion for those who fought in it.

So this is a film which is supremely well acted and directed, with an excellent script which can be both touching and funny, while at the same time having a strong social criticism element, and with its heart in the right place, what more could you want?

Final Grade

9/10

Trivia


From Wikipedia:

The film was well received by most film critics. Bosley Crowther of The New York Times hailed the film as a masterpiece. He wrote, "It is seldom that there comes a motion picture which can be wholly and enthusiastically endorsed not only as superlative entertainment but as food for quiet and humanizing thought... In working out their solutions Mr. Sherwood and Mr. Wyler have achieved some of the most beautiful and inspiring demonstrations of human fortitude that we have had in films." He also said the ensemble casting gave the "'best' performance in this best film this year from Hollywood."

A more recent critic, Dave Kehr is more reluctant to praise the film, but makes the case why the film is important today. He wrote, "The film is very proud of itself, exuding a stifling piety at times, but it works as well as this sort of thing can, thanks to accomplished performances by Fredric March, Myrna Loy, and Dana Andrews, who keep the human element afloat. Gregg Toland's deep-focus photography, though, remains the primary source of interest for today's audiences." David Thomson offers tempered praise: "I would concede that Best Years is decent and humane... acutely observed, despite being so meticulous a package. It would have taken uncommon genius and daring at that time to sneak a view of an untidy or unresolved America past Goldwyn or the public."

Not everyone was as complimentary. Iconoclastic critic Manny Farber called it "a horse-drawn truckload of liberal schmaltz."

Currently, the film has a 96% "Fresh" rating at Rotten Tomatoes, based on twenty-six reviews.

Excerpts from the film: