This is a movie I've seen before but never really took time to take in. Thanks to TCM for giving me the opportunity to do just that. Seeing Martin Sheen, as young Timmy Cleary, a soldier returning from WW II, in a great dramatic role and in one of his earliest movies was a treat. He is an actor I have great respect for, professionally and personally. Sheen is paired with the great Patricia Neal and Jack Albertson in two powerful roles, as Nettie and John Cleary.
The movie takes place in the Bronx (a borough of New York City) with Sheen back home after his war service. His parents are tremendously grateful at how their soft-spoken and good natured son has survived the war so well. However, we soon see that all is not well with their relationship. I suspect that young Timmy learned to adapt to that conflict early in life. The father has made a great deal of money over the years through his nefarious business contacts. Nettie's knight in shining armour was a man who did what he felt was necessary after the crash of 1929 and the deep depression that followed. However, on an outing with the family, it's clear he is a man about town. The Irish culture that Tim's dad is so dependent on, is his foundation and support. He insists that Tim go to Sunday mass and falls back on cliché expressions as if he just landed from the Emerald Isle.
Tim and his dad take a drive through the rugged countryside outside the city and visit the summer home that they are so fond of. They share a lot of conversation and clearly enjoy each others' company. They visit a village bar and enjoy a few whiskies. Tim knows the deep rift in his family but is very good at covering up. This is also true of his war service, not unusual for someone of his generation. But he has learned for the most part to bury his feelings. Tim is well aware of his Dad's shortcomings and buys his mother roses which he says comes from his dad. Nettie is touched to the core but it turns out even this gesture is a trick, which leads to more conflict. Nettie escapes the home life she is trapped in and visits her own side of the family. She is seen walking on the seashore taking in the air away from her flat in the city. On her outing, she is approached by a gentleman who she turns aside, no doubt because she has remained faithful to her marriage vows.
There is no resolution to this story but we don't really expect it. What I like about TCM is the fact that I get to see old movies I would never see on TV anymore. This is a perfect example of a very good movie that could easily be overlooked.
The movie takes place in the Bronx (a borough of New York City) with Sheen back home after his war service. His parents are tremendously grateful at how their soft-spoken and good natured son has survived the war so well. However, we soon see that all is not well with their relationship. I suspect that young Timmy learned to adapt to that conflict early in life. The father has made a great deal of money over the years through his nefarious business contacts. Nettie's knight in shining armour was a man who did what he felt was necessary after the crash of 1929 and the deep depression that followed. However, on an outing with the family, it's clear he is a man about town. The Irish culture that Tim's dad is so dependent on, is his foundation and support. He insists that Tim go to Sunday mass and falls back on cliché expressions as if he just landed from the Emerald Isle.
Tim and his dad take a drive through the rugged countryside outside the city and visit the summer home that they are so fond of. They share a lot of conversation and clearly enjoy each others' company. They visit a village bar and enjoy a few whiskies. Tim knows the deep rift in his family but is very good at covering up. This is also true of his war service, not unusual for someone of his generation. But he has learned for the most part to bury his feelings. Tim is well aware of his Dad's shortcomings and buys his mother roses which he says comes from his dad. Nettie is touched to the core but it turns out even this gesture is a trick, which leads to more conflict. Nettie escapes the home life she is trapped in and visits her own side of the family. She is seen walking on the seashore taking in the air away from her flat in the city. On her outing, she is approached by a gentleman who she turns aside, no doubt because she has remained faithful to her marriage vows.
There is no resolution to this story but we don't really expect it. What I like about TCM is the fact that I get to see old movies I would never see on TV anymore. This is a perfect example of a very good movie that could easily be overlooked.