josie

The Best Years of Our Lives

i like what they were going for but she’s very boring i’m sorry.

Aakansha

The Best Years of Our Lives

Film School Drop Outs Weekly Challenge (https://letterboxd.com/goghaliens/list/film-school-drop-outs-weekly-challenge-2019) Week 13: Editor - Daniel Mandell Twenty minutes in and I knew I was watching one of the best films, by the time it beautifully (almost) wrapped one character's storyline. I was on the edge of my seat to see how it would transition to others, but most importantly, top that moment. There was no need to be fearful, it was perfect all around. Expertly handles the tough subject matter - veterans adjusting to the post-war world and subsequently changed relationships, as well as living with PTSD. The three veteran characters focused here representing three problems/experiences: loss/physical disability (by way of Harold Russell's Homer), unemployment (Dana Andrews' Fred), and unhealthy coping mechanism, in this case, alcoholism (Fredric March's Al Stephenson). Thoroughly explores the complexities of each individual situation, and comments on it as a whole; no character is two dimensional whether it's veterans or their families - you can understand everyone's point of views & where they are coming from. In that way, it feels naturalistic and authentic, while also somehow being light, entertaining and, at points, even humorous. Constantly reminding you of its based-in era yet having a timeless quality. Hitting all the emotional beats without being overpowering - imo, its best asset. A truly wonderfully written screenplay. The pacing is amazing, and the whole film just easily flows. It pulls you in and happily keeps you as an observer of events / the vital or best moments of their lives. The world created is so immersive. There's only one editing choice that stuck out: at 31 mins mark, wherein a band member at the bar was casually playing his guitar, seemingly having a good time, but as soon as the camera zoomed in on him, he gave a weird reaction as if he had been caught (off guard). Don't know if it was a deliberate decision by all on set, or they just decided to keep it later; but either ways, it makes for a really funny moment, and adds to the realism. This insight into their present, and now our past world, is given further life to by an incredible cast. There's just too many good performances to choose a favourite/stand out from, whether it's by the actors playing the veterans, or the Stephenson family ie Myrna Loy and Teresa Wright. The latter vaguely reminded me of Rachel Brosnahan/Miriam, uncanny. But I really loved March's; honestly, might be in love with him now. Also, the fact that Homer is played by Russell, an actual veteran that lost his hands, is commendable. Current Hollywood should learn from this film; casting an actor with a disability for roles about them shouldn't be this rare and yet it is. Impressed by the nightmarish music, too, in the scene where it fully reflected Al's disoriented state after he woke up. It's not something that I'd listen to outside of this film's context but it suited the imagery and I quite liked it. Also, shout out to William Wyler & his precise camera work that frames everything nicely, in this heartwarming film, as well as for giving us some adorable Al and Milly scenes. This is becoming too lengthy. So lastly I'd just like to say: thanks to this challenge and our host (Bobby Jones (https://letterboxd.com/bjones1297/)), because of whom I have uncovered some real gems, and now personal favourites: Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari, which would've taken me longer to get to; and The Best Years of Our Lives, which I probably would've not gotten to at all because of its runtime and war genre. I'm so glad to now have them etched in my memory.