The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

 William Wyler's "The Best Years of Our Lives"


At the time of the film's release in 1946, "The Best Years of Our Lives" was hailed as William Wyler's masterpiece, on top of being considered one of the great American pictures made that decade. It was even popular amongst audiences who made the film the greatest box office success since the monolithic "Gone with the Wind" 7 years prior. 

"The Best Years of Our Lives" centers on three differently ranked American servicemen as they attempt to reacclimated to the changing landscape of American culture upon returning from World War II.  They deal with a changing culture, trying to re-establish themselves in the family unit they left behind, and newfound trauma and disabilities they may have. 

Going into this film, I was thoroughly excited as I had heard so many great things. While I did enjoy the film and think it was a worthwhile watch, I found myself disengaged, especially in the back half of the film. The first half of the film really captivated me and the newfound struggles of these veterans really invested me in their story and the story of the post-war American landscape in general. However, the continued fractioning of the servicemen through their interpersonal lives and the romantic affiliations between one of the protagonists and another's daughter left me a bit cold and disinterested.

That being said, I can still recognize the film objectively as a triumph for William Wyler and the film's place in Hollywood at the time. It was hailed for its depictions of American veterans coming home from their war and the troubles they faced. It was also hailed for the deep focus cinematography by cinematographer Gred Tolland, something he was continuing to perfect after his breakthrough with 1941's "Citizen Kane." The film was also nominated for 8 Academy Awards, winning 7 of those and even winning two additional honorary awards. Sufficive to say that the film had an enormous impact on Hollywood filmmaking and the film industry in general at the time. 

I find the film to be a far better film conceptually. I will look back on the film for all its positive aspects. That being said, I don't find the film in any sort of artistic way to be on par with some of the other films released in the same year, including some American films like "It's a Wonderful Life," or "My Darling Clementine." 




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