Review of The Long Gray Line (1955) by Joe S — 12 Jan 2009
After the sentimental-to-a-fault opening act of this movie, the alternate meaning of the title took awhile to seep in. The story ends with loss after loss, and missed connection, everyone in their own force fields.
In the closing hallucinations and senility, the grace experienced by the doltish Martin Maher character has been buffed to a cold, reflective glare. This film belongs with latter Ford, questioning the merits and longevity of purpose-centered living and the fallacies one builds around them.
Redemption is in the details of the story, however. A Christmas night scene near the end of the film, where Maher is visited by cadets who throw him an impromptu party, almost vindicates his life lived along "the long gray line".
This review of The Long Gray Line (1955) was written by Joe S on 12 Jan 2009.
The Long Gray Line has generally received positive reviews.
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