Review of The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) by Martin L — 03 Apr 2008
It swept the 1946 Academy Awards. This is a movie about three American World War II veterans coming home in 1945, and wondering if the best years of their lives are now gone. A man named Harold Russell played the part of "Homer Parrish", an American Navy vet who has to come home and adjust to life without hands, among other things. His hands were blown off and in place are hooks. Harold Russell was an actual World War II vet from Canada, and his hands had actually been blown off. This was no trick photography. He was the first non-professional actor to win an Academy Award, for Best Supporting Actor in this film. And he did not win the Oscar merely because people felt sorry for him. You rent this movie, and you see. His performance is groundbreaking.
The runtime at 172 minutes is long, but it deserves a complete viewing. Besides it never lags or bores. It's always interesting and always remarkable.
(Note: The only other non-professional actor win an Academy Award was Dr. Haing S. Ngor for his performance in THE KILLING FIELDS).
This review of The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) was written by Martin L on 03 Apr 2008.
The Best Years of Our Lives has generally received very positive reviews.
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