Well done but left me feeling indifferent

Rating: 7/10 (29 January 2002)

"Gone with the Wind" is a classic. This is what we're always told. The huge story of Scarlett O'Hara, set against the American civil war and told over 234 minutes is one of the most famous movies of all time and, inflation adjusted, one of the most successful. This doesn't mean that it's any good however...
In the movie's favour it looks *fantastic*. Some scenes are incredible - and not just the burning of Atlanta, but scenes such as when Scarlett is walking among the wounded men (there is a LOT of them) or even just the social gatherings. Full respect to the production and design crew - the film looked the part and shows that FX are not always the best way forward.
However... Scarlett O'Hara is irritating. She epitomizes the spoilt brat. She'll use and abuse anyone to get her way - this includes any man unfortunate enough to fall in love with her. This is no real fault of Vivien Leigh but it certainly doesn't make me empathize with her character - I'm on the verge of gaining respect when off she goes and marries some poor soul to get his wallet. The idea of impossible love is hardly new and it's the core of this movie as Scarlett yearns for the one man she can never (and doesn't deserve to) have - Ashley. The only true match for her is Rhett Butler (Clark Gable). His character has somewhat more depth than Scarlett's but he seems to spend the whole movie going around with a lop-sided grin. Fair enough but with such a long story I'd have appreciated more.
The story isn't pedantic and doesn't actually drag. It doesn't move along at a flying pace but hey, we're not watching your average slash-em up are we? It does seem to recycle the same concepts though - Scarlett wants Ashley. Can't have so marries someone else. Something unfortunate happens so Scarlett wants Ashley. She can't have him so ... - you see where I'm going.

The movie is like a pulp novel - it knows exactly what it's doing and mostly pushes the right buttons. "Titanic" clued in on this idea of a grand love story set against a tragic event much later to similar success. It's undoubtedly well made but it's not actually an excellent movie when it comes to the story and I'm left somewhat cold by Scarlett's plight (and the rest of her family make me go even more "fiddle-dee-dee"). Certainly it's superior to "Titanic" so those of who you enjoyed *that* movie should enjoy this. For myself I saw a movie that I was glad I saw but have no particular need to ever see again. Somewhat over-rated. 7.5/10.