1)Homer:
I didn't see much of the war...I was stationed in a repair shop below decks. Oh,
I was in plenty of battles, but I never saw a Jap or heard a shell coming at me.
When we were sunk, all I know is there was a lot of fire and explosions. And I
was on the topsides and overboard. And I was burned. When I came to, I was on
a cruiser. My hands were off. After that, I had it easy...That's what I said.
They took care of me fine. They trained me to use these things. I can dial telephones,
I can drive a car, I can even put nickels in the jukebox. I'm all right, but...well,
you see, I've got a girl. Fred: She knows what happened
to ya, doesn't she? Homer: Sure, they all know. They
don't know what these things look like. Al: What's
your girl's name, Homer? Homer: Wilma. She and I
went to high school together. Al: I'll bet Wilma's
a swell girl. Homer: She is. Fred:
Then it will be all right, sailor. You wait and see. Homer:
Yeah, wait and see. Wilma's only a kid. She's never seen anything like these hooks.
2)Milly:
What do you think of the children? Al: Children?
I don't recognize 'em. They've grown so old. Milly:
I tried to stop them, to keep them just as they were when you left, but they got
away from me
Review:The
Best Years of Our Lives concerns the return of three World War II veterans,
and their problems adjusting to postwar society. World War II has been put up
on a pedestal, but many forget that lives were shattered and of course lost. Nominated
for eight Oscars, it took home seven including Best Picture beating out the much
acclaimed It's A Wonderful Life. Also noteworthy
is that the film was shot by legendary cinematographer Gregg Toland, whose credits
include Citizen Kane. The film seems to be ahead
of it's time with regard to it's often brutal honesty. Other exceptional films
regarding vets returning from war include Born on the Fourth
of July and The Deer Hunter. -Review by
Aaron Caldwell
