‘How many times have I told you I hated you and believed it in my heart?‘
Being a film completist is usually a satisfying hobby. The swish of the pen as another film is ticked off. The obsessive urge to devour the oeuvre of a chosen director. I love all of it. On occasion however, it can also be disconcerting. Like when you realise you haven’t seen any of William Wyler’s movies, despite the fact that he was one of the most celebrated directors of his generation. Well sir, Ben Hur never appealed to me, and Roman Holiday is a few weeks away on the old watchlist, so it was to be The Best Years of Our Lives. And what a wonderful film it is…
To paraphrase a friend of mine, The Best Years of Our Lives is essentially about some nice guys just living life. Having arrived back from the war, USAAF bombardier captain Fred Derry (Dana Andrews), U.S. Navy petty officer Homer Parrish (Harold Russell), and U.S. Army sergeant Al Stephenson (Frederic March) attempt to adjust to civilian life. The result is a series of tests including problems with alcohol, problems with women and problems with having two hooks for hands. Crucially, Wyler portrays these very real and sensitive issues with a light touch, meaning that even at nearly three hours, the movie never drags or becomes a slog. It helps that he has assembled an incredible cast in Andrews, Russell and March, three actors I’d never knowingly encountered before, and Theresa Wright also excels as local home wrecker Peggy Stephenson. Working from Robert E. Sherwood’s screenplay, the cast and the director work hard to make sure that these characters are compelling, and thoroughly individualistic. I was rooting for all of these guys by the end, and it’s surprising that despite it’s eight Oscar wins (including Best Picture), this isn’t a film that seems to have endured in the public consciousness. And this is a shame, because anyone willing to give up three hours or so of their time will be rewarding with a loving homage to small town American life and the sacrifices made by those who served.
A bona fide classic.