I have this notion that following the end of World War II in both the European and Pacific theaters that everything was hunky-dory, everything was just fine as soldiers returned home to their friends and families without missing a beat. That of course was not the truth. Thousands of young men had just taken part in a world-shattering and world-changing event that altered the course of history, and then after years of fighting, the war was over. As much as they may have wanted to go home, it just wasn't that easy. From director Edward Dmytryk, 'End of Time' is an honest, moving look at this transition through the eyes of three Marine veterans.
After three-plus years fighting in the Pacific, highly decorated Marine Cliff Harper (Guy Madison) is being mustered out just a few months after the end of WWII. He parts ways with his best friend, William Tabeshaw (Robert Mitchum), and heads home to California where he sees his parents (Tom Tully and Ruth Nelson) for the first time in years. Cliff is glad to be home, but he doesn't know quite what to do with himself. He finds himself lashing out at everyone around him. He wants nothing to do with any sort of job or responsibility. Nothing comes easy for him as he tries to readjust even when he meets Pat Ruscomb (Dorothy McGuire), a young widow who lost her pilot husband in Europe within the last year. Instantly drawn to a similarly struggling Pat, Cliff can't seem to do anything right though, and his struggles to keep his emotions in check might drive her away.
I had little to no expectations going into this one. The plot description sounded interesting, and I liked the two leads in McGuire and Madison, not even realizing one of my favorites in Robert Mitchum played a key supporting role. The premise was even more interesting considering the film was released within a year of the end of WWII. My picture of a post-WWII America is one where audiences did not want to see movies about their heroic veterans struggling to readjust to civilian life. This is a great movie, authentic, honest and moving. It doesn't try to whitewash these struggles so many veterans went through after surviving the hell of combat. I liked it so much more than 'Best Years' and wish it could receive some recognition alongside that much more well-known movie. Still, it doesn't take away from its value as a film that can stand alone on its own.
Certain moments take this movie to another level. In terms of a no-frills opening, the long, uninterrupted shot of Madison's Cliff walking through his childhood home upon returning is great. He slowly walks through the rooms, seeing things so much differently than he did only a few years before. Later, a veteran, Perry (Bill Williams), refuses to wear his prosthetic legs but finally swallows his pride and pushes his stubborness by the wayside. In a great reveal, he opens the door to his room dressed in his dress uniform, proudly walking to his beaming mother. The best though comes when Cliff and Pat are on a date at an ice rink where they see an Army soldier (Richard Benedict) struggling with a bout of the shakes. Both having dealt with similar circumstances in their own way, they help the young soldier who wants to go home but doesn't want to worry his parents. A scene that is incredibly moving in its execution, it is years ahead of its time in honesty.
Just 24 years old at the time, Guy Madison does not disappoint in his first starring role and second movie overall. What sets his Cliff Harper character apart is that at several different times, he's a complete asshole. Granted, it isn't so much him as his internal battle to adjust and be normal again, but he's aggressive and even violent, both physically and lashing out with words. Mostly though, he realizes what he's doing and does his best to stop it. His relationship with a scene-stealing McGuire feels real and never forced. These are two individuals who are dealing with similar problems but end up using the other for some sort of legitimacy or rationale. I have this picture of McGuire as the motherly character from Friendly Persuasion and Swiss Family Robinson so seeing her as a somewhat promiscuous young lady is quite a departure. You buy it though. Like Madison's Cliff, she doesn't know how to move on with her life.
Imagine my surprise when I sat through the credits and after McGuire and Madison I saw Robert Mitchum's name pop up. Consider me very pleased, even if his part is only a supporting one, if a key one at that. This is a pre-stardom Mitchum, but it's clear he's destined for bigger and better things. His character is also an ex-Marine who has a metal plate in his head after he was wounded. He refuses to deal with the ever-increasing headaches he has, living life as it presents itself. From what I've read about Mitchum, the character isn't too far removed from his real-life personality. In other words? He's always up to something, and it's always going to be entertaining.
There is little not to like about this movie. From the lead parts down to the supporting roles like Williams' ex-boxer Perry and Tully and Nelson as Cliff's parents, everyone hits that right note. It's that rare movie that hits almost all the right notes. It never gets too melodramatic or hammy, but also doesn't underplay the situation of these returning veterans. 'Best Years' is much more well-known, and it also features some great performances, but for me, I'll stick with this one.
Till the End of Time <---TCM clips (1946): *** 1/2 /****
No comments:
Post a Comment