| − | Homer's sense of helplessness because he lost both of his hands in the war felt extremely real to me. The fact that the independence he had with his hands is tied to his masculinity is a reality for men then and now. Dependence is a feminine trait, not a masculine trait. -Lauren | + | Homer's sense of helplessness because he lost both of his hands in the war felt extremely real to me. '''The fact that the independence he had with his hands is tied to his masculinity is a reality for men then and now.''' Dependence is a feminine trait, not a masculine trait. -Lauren |
| − | He is especially convincing since Harold Russell really did lose his hands as a result of the war. Like his character he never saw battle, must have had a heck of a rehabilitation, but also wrote a book "The Best Years of My Life"-signifying that like Homer, he felt compelled to go on with life as the other characters did despite the clear struggles they would continue to have. The general success of the 1950s is proof that people went on with their lives, but we know from hospital records and personal memoirs of countless WWII vets that the yet to be named PTSD effected most vets for much of their lives. The way it is manifested in the film is really wonderful and not overdone. It is poignant so to sympathize with the recently returned soldiers. But the film's ending is not a clear-cut happy ending- though Al, Fred, and Homer each get their girl in the end and a potentially hopeful future life, no one's problems disappear. Al still has a drink in his hand (though I think they might under-due the alcoholism due to Hollywood Code restrictions), Homer still has hooks for hands, and Fred admits to Peggy that they might have a tough life because of him (his night-terrors, his short-temper, his less than ideal job/$/housing situation), but each have hope given to them by strong (totally selfless) women who love them. This is a big message I think the movie is pushing, as did the propaganda in reality. Women's place was with their husbands, especially if they were returning soldiers. Divorce (and especially marriage splitting by a third party) had to be portrayed using kid-gloves in 1940s Hollywood, but I am glad they showed it, as many marriages like that of Fred and Marie's did end in divorce after the war. --Jackie Reed
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| − | The hopelessness was something I definitely noticed. Much akin to the panic felt by Joe in Dalton Trumbo's Johnny Got His Gun, it seemed like all three men were realizing at several junctures throughout the story that they wanted to be anywhere other than back home. The other thing that really struck me about this movie is that you could put the story into any time period and have it remain relevant. The struggles, fears and anger felt by the three soldiers are all still felt by the soldier's returning from Iraq. Everyone is afraid in the same language. --Cash Nelson | + | The hopelessness was something I definitely noticed. Much akin to the panic felt by Joe in Dalton Trumbo's Johnny Got His Gun, it '''seemed like all three men were realizing at several junctures throughout the story that they wanted to be anywhere other than back home.''' The other thing that really struck me about this movie is that '''you could put the story into any time period and have it remain relevant.''' The struggles, fears and anger felt by the three soldiers are all still felt by the soldier's returning from Iraq. Everyone is afraid in the same language. --Cash Nelson |