1941
Directed by (who else) Howard Hawks
I never thought I would say this but I am getting sick of Gary Cooper and his Johnny Everyman routine. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood for this movie but it seemed to me to be like Mr. Deeds Goes to War. Also, I am not really into being preached to and also it is Monday. These are all factors that led to me not enjoy this film.
This movie is about a young "pacifist" who becomes a war hero. Actually, if you look as this film in context it is rather interesting because it was released just three months before the US entered WWII but while the war was going on in Europe. I looked up the tagline and it said "timelier today than ever." Still, the interesting historical context doesn't make up for over two hours of boredom. A really good war movie is rousing and inspiring but at the end of the day, why was York even a hero? What the hell was he fighting for???!?!?
RATING: **---
Interesting Facts:
First movie that Clint Eastwood ever saw.
York insisted that Gary Cooper play him.
America was mostly isolationist at this point so the studios were worried that the film would not be successful. By the time of the film's release, however, Hitler had taken over most of Europe and that was that.
First part:
There is a really great book called 'celluloid soldiers'about how Warners Bros and their anti-fascist slant intheir films from the middle 30's untill dec '41 when suddenly everyone hated the germans and the Japanese.
ReplyDeleteWhilst detailing some of the rather brave subjects the tackled.. and the films that took a lead in exposing Nazi and Japan's militaristic intentions (Confessions of a Nazi Spy), and the ugly side of American Policics (Black Legion), it pulls no punches is saying that some of the 'look how brave we are' rhetoric was, at times, embelished later.
St. York is one of the films they go into.. and the liberties taken with the truth.
I guess as a forigner, I have to tread carefully when commenting on National heros.. but I'm afraid I must say I found this a rather dull film. Yes, good summing up calling it Mr. deeds goes to war.. or anyother pun on a Capra/Cooper/Stewart type co-operation.
It's just like the movie that just came out here called American Sniper. Nothing like having propaganda shoved down your throat.
DeleteOh dear, I'm afraid I did end up watching 'American Sniper'. I was right. I should have known better.
DeleteBut I'd take this one over 'American Sniper' any day
I've heard about that.. it sounds dire...
ReplyDeleteSuper boring and super preachy. Disliked most of the characters. You got that one down pad.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteForrest Gump meets The Deer Hunter
ReplyDeleteThis should have been insufferable, but Cooper and Hawks make the best of it that reasonably could have been done. I'll let it slide, just this once.
That's generous.
DeleteI'm a generous guy
Delete