Review of The Grapes of Wrath (1940) by Ross B — 20 Jul 2013
John Ford makes the quintessential adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel and in the process finds the perfect embodiment of Tom Joad. Tom (Henry Fonda) is a recent parolee who, after reuniting with his family, discovers that they are being shoved off the family farm in Oklahoma.
They plan on heading west to California, under the promise that there is work out there. What continues is the finest story of the struggles families faced during the Dust Bowl era. Ford is expertly cast and has enough of the all American look to play Tom Joad to perfection.
The film explores not just the struggles of keeping a family together, but the divide in the country regarding the working class and the upper class. Ford, who himself is a spectacular director known more for his westerns, is able to capture this American classic as best he could considering the length of the source material.
A film classic that perfectly captures a rough era of American history.
This review of The Grapes of Wrath (1940) was written by Ross B on 20 Jul 2013.
The Grapes of Wrath has generally received very positive reviews.
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