Review of From Here to Eternity (1953) by &Hearts;Pam&Hearts; — 17 Jun 2008

Another of the films I should have seen, but hadn't until last night. Wow! Why didn't someone sit me down and tell me to watch this film that was made three years before I was born? For some reason, I thought this winner of 8 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, was a love story akin to Love at the Beach or something like that. Boy, was I surprised. I had no idea it was even set in Hawaii and totally didn't see Pearl Harbor coming. Geez, Louise. My dad was a Veteran of WWII, so anything connected with that war stirs my soul. These imperfect soldiers are no exception.

Frank Sinatra was heartbreaking, Montgomery Clift gave new meaning to determination and being strong-willed, Deborah Kerr was the ultimate desperate housewife, Donna Reed showed she could play a multidimensional character and Burt Lancaster gave us hope as a man who came through and showed character in the long run. And the snivelling, unfair, rank-climbing Captain played by Philp Ober got what he deserved, giving this viewer much satisfaction.

Real men, flawed, imperfect, can come together in the face of horror to do something greater than themselves. This movie is one I can watch again and again. So many facets, so many layers, so many wonderful actors richly filling the remainder of the cast and I can't help but add this movie to my list of must sees.

Can't believe it took me so long.