This is not your typical Hollywood treatment of post-war United States. Yes, it is reminiscent of "The Best Years Of Our LIves", which happens to be a film I just don't like. Filmed the same year, this movie struck a cord with me.
The film features some poignant depictions of men coming home from World War II -- the soldier in the snack bar who is having "the shakes", perhaps panic attacks, a double amputee, and, our main character, just not quite fitting in with everyday life anymore.
The star here is Guy Madison. Madison's acting has sometimes been described as "wooden". That may be true, but in this particular that seemed to almost be a plus...it makes him an even more sympathetic character. And he certainly was handsome. Dorothy McGuire was the love interest here. A solid actress, she too doesn't quite fit into post-war life. They built a relationship, although not in the way that we typically expect in a Hollywood film.
Robert Mitchum has a supporting role here. He's okay. I also enjoyed seeing Tom Tully, whom I always remember from "The Caine Mutiny".
To be honest, the only real Hollywood moment here is the ending. But that's oaky. Overall this film seemed more 'real' than most Hollywood films.
The film features some poignant depictions of men coming home from World War II -- the soldier in the snack bar who is having "the shakes", perhaps panic attacks, a double amputee, and, our main character, just not quite fitting in with everyday life anymore.
The star here is Guy Madison. Madison's acting has sometimes been described as "wooden". That may be true, but in this particular that seemed to almost be a plus...it makes him an even more sympathetic character. And he certainly was handsome. Dorothy McGuire was the love interest here. A solid actress, she too doesn't quite fit into post-war life. They built a relationship, although not in the way that we typically expect in a Hollywood film.
Robert Mitchum has a supporting role here. He's okay. I also enjoyed seeing Tom Tully, whom I always remember from "The Caine Mutiny".
To be honest, the only real Hollywood moment here is the ending. But that's oaky. Overall this film seemed more 'real' than most Hollywood films.