Review of The Southerner (1945) by Adrian B — 21 Dec 2012

Strong depression era film in which a family strives to make a living off their farm plantation in the southern United States. Sam Tucker (Zachary Scott) is husband who initiates the farming practise with the assistance of his wife, Nona (Betty Field), along with their two young kids.

Unfortunately, two factors are against their building of the farm. One, the weather, for which they have struggle against of opposing elements of both flooding and drought. Two, they have to deal with the presence of the wife's bitter, generally immobile and stubborn mother (Beulah Bondi).

The cinematography, as usual for director Jean Renoir's film, is the strongest asset, with setting superbly photographed by the camera, allowing us to feel that the time and setting is the 1930's.

However, I wish that the movie progressed a bit faster and smoother than it did.