In the spirit of Booth Tarkington (The Magnificent Ambersons, Alice Adams) and Willa Cather (O Pioneers) comes this moving memoir of a young Wisconsin girl, her life on her parent's farm, and her love for her father. There are similarities to other children's novels, such as Heidi, but the fact is, here is a film that children may enjoy, but adults need to see even more.
Bother the writing and the acting here is superior... What could have been nothing but sentiment and triteness is transformed by the lucid, intelligent, quavering realness of Margaret O'Brien, the warmth, gentleness and subtlety of Edward G. Robinson, and to top it all off, the brusque affection and wariness of Agnes Moorehead. A dream cast. (Not who you'd expect, but, because of their great talent, they fit the roles like a glove).
The script is more subtle and meaningful than anyone could have dared to expect. The characters are real people who are living life the best they know how, and caring for each other. It is probably inevitable that someone will compare The Vines to one or another of Capra's greatest films.
That's just fine. There's always room for another quiet masterpiece. Especially one so full of compassion.
Bother the writing and the acting here is superior... What could have been nothing but sentiment and triteness is transformed by the lucid, intelligent, quavering realness of Margaret O'Brien, the warmth, gentleness and subtlety of Edward G. Robinson, and to top it all off, the brusque affection and wariness of Agnes Moorehead. A dream cast. (Not who you'd expect, but, because of their great talent, they fit the roles like a glove).
The script is more subtle and meaningful than anyone could have dared to expect. The characters are real people who are living life the best they know how, and caring for each other. It is probably inevitable that someone will compare The Vines to one or another of Capra's greatest films.
That's just fine. There's always room for another quiet masterpiece. Especially one so full of compassion.