92 of 1001 Movies: The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

William Wyler would bring the world Ben-Hur over a decade after one of his earlier hits, The Best Years of Our Lives. With an unique and interesting cast you have a lot of great acting that brings out the emotion you need for a film likes this. It's basically completely character driven, and looks at an interesting aspect of being a veteran after World War II that most of us have probably neglected to even consider. The cast though ranges from holding real life parallels to their parts to being a top notch actor meant for the role they are portraying on screen.

Fred, Homer, and Al are three veterans returning home from the war. They are all anxious to see what changes have happened during the years they spent away from their loved ones. Homer has lost his hands, and he is worried about not only how his family will treat him, but his girlfriend he had hoped to marry. Fred left a new wife just as the war started, and he is the only one who seems more excited than nervous to see what awaits him when he gets home, but once arriving he's found his wife has essentially moved on in his absence. There is also Al, who has been married twenty years, and has two children. They have grown and matured though, and he is confused by how he will fit into the new dynamics of his family. On top of this they struggle to move forward with jobs, and love as they learn their new place in society as veterans.



The Best Years of Our Lives is rich in story, and from the beginning you are instantly curious about all of them, Homer in particular. The suspense is built up well as we watch the men ride in one car to each of their three homes, and see how they are received, and once we see the shambles of what is there it is an upward battle from their to fit in. While Homer might be struggling to prove to his family he is still physically capable of taking care of himself, Fred finds his mental stability challenged by his wife, and his ability to provide. All these different stories, and how Wyler has weaved the three veterans lives together is entertaining to watch as it all runs smoothly together.

Harold Russel  portrayed Homer, and he wasn't even really an actor when discovered. His character just naturally interests you more with the setbacks he is dealing with, and knowing that the real life actor encountered this same struggle is inspiring to watch. There are a few scenes where his father is helping him dress, and he shows his girlfriend the struggles she will encounter as his wife that make the movie very memorable. Fred is also another interesting character as he struggles to fit back in at a job, and deals with his unfaithful wife, Marie, who is portrayed by Virginia Mayo. His blossoming romance with Al's daughter, Peggy (Teresa Wright) makes for an especially interesting watch.

Al is also interesting, but something about his character just doesn't keep you as riveted though. Fredric March brings him to life well though. The settings of the 40s also adds to the whole vibe. The people talk, and dress like much of us have imagine people from that era to be, and for the most Wyler does what he does, and keeps it family-friendly, but adds depth where needed to keep it real.

Wyler proves he is one of the very early great directors who likes long, and epic stories driven by strong characters. He knows how to weave three stories together, and make them all equally as strong as the other when watching. You also have a cast that works well together, and you can tell that they care about their stories, and probably since it was so close to the time the war ended you still know it was weighing heavily on people's minds. The Best Years of Our Lives show how an event shapes and molds many people's lives all from different places very well.

Rating 7 of 10