An interesting look at what happens when GIs return home

Rating: Null/10 (6 March 2004)

It is no surprise that William Wyler's `The Best Years of Our Lives' earned the Oscar for Best Picture in 1947. It is a study of what happens to three GIs when they are shipped home after WWII, and how their home lives have both changed and adjusted without them. In this case, we have a soldier (played by Harold Russell) who lost his hands in the war and now must use hooks. Despite his incredible attitude and the skill with which he uses the hooks, he finds himself the object of pity among his family and some friends, and is uncertain about his longtime sweetheart's level of commitment, now that his handicap will affect them the rest of their lives. There is also a soldier (Dana Andrews) who married his wife 20 days before he shipped off overseas and as a result, never really got to know her or start a life with her, and finds that she has done just fine without him. Finally, there is the middle-aged soldier (Fredric March) who returns to his wife and two children, and back to his life as a bank executive.
This was probably a really meaningful and relevant film in 1946, when it was released. And if you look at it now in that light, then it is more impactful. It is definitely timeless in that the sense of isolation and detachment could be universal for anyone in any situation. The film is a little dated in that there are stereotypes (the floozy-esque and shrewish wife Andrews, who then transfers his love to a pure and kind younger girl), and also some plot pints that are given to us in glaring form, yet they went nowhere (most noticeably, the whole issue with March's drinking problem, which somehow miraculously heals itself  unless I missed something).
While The Best Years of Our Lives is certainly an excellent film as a whole, probably the most amazing element is Harold Russell, the real-life ex-GI who really did lose his hands and therefore really does utilize hooks in order to function. He went on to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for this film, which was probably based on political and social reasons as it was merit, but his performance really was inspirational and heart-felt and effective sixty years later. The next time you are in the mood for a three hour melodrama, this is a great choice. I had wanted to see this film for over a decade and when I finally watched it, I was not disappointed.

--Shelly