THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES

For many years I felt I ought to see this 1946 film, given that it was showered with Oscars, but I could raise little enthusiasm for it, based on its length (nearly three hours), its subject matter (war veterans returning home) and probably some disdain for the Oscars themselves. 

Well, how foolish can one be?

Everything thing about it is high quality but the thing that elevates this well-crafted film into something special is the performance of a non-professional, Harold Russell. He lost both hands during the war and is able to bring a dignity and authenticity to his role as Homer, and to Homer's relationship with his childhood sweetheart Wilma.  All their scenes had me tearing up. 

The emotional climax of the film is their wedding, and if you are not moved when he uses his replacement hands (basically hooks) to place the wedding ring on her finger then you must have something wrong with you. 

He is one of three veterans returning to Boone City (no, I've never heard of it either). The others are Al, a banker (Frederic March) and Fred, a soda jerk (Dana Andrews).

The latter soon realises that the marriage he entered into in haste at the start of the war is a disaster, and instead a romance develops between him and Al's daughter Peggy (Teresa Wright).  Their relationship is beautifully played by the two actors, even if both seem a bit old for the parts.

Elsewhere Myrna Loy as Al's wife is as accomplished as always. She doesn't have a lot to do but her anxiety and support for her husband as he delivers an alcohol-fuelled and angry speech at a formal dinner in his honour make that scene a standout for me.

As a bonus the great songwriter Hoagy Carmichael is delightful in a small part as Homer's uncle.

Although by the end everything seems to be looking up for the three main characters the film doesn't pull its punches, considering how soon to the end of the war it was made.  Homer doesn't want to be pitied or treated differently because of his injuries, Fred has PTSD nightmares and struggles to find a good job, Al has an alcohol problem and struggles to resume life at the bank.

If all this sounds a bit formulaic it certainly doesn't come across that way, which I guess is a tribute to the craft on display from everyone concerned, and the sincerity with which it was made.

RATING: ✓✓ Catch It If You Can

 

Only twenty minutes in I was tea