Yes, there is a simpler life somewhere out there, but truthfully, it really ain't so simple. Country folk in Maine have to deal with many issues-the elements of weather, lack of money for the replacement of cattle ("It broke its leg and I had to shoot it", the farmer actually gets to say), desires for college and land sold before they could buy it, and bitter resentments hidden inside each member of this family. This slice of life drama opens on a beautiful winter setting (straight out of Currier and Ives and Saturday Evening Post) is a vision that these people's lives are quiet as complicated as city folks, only with different characteristics.
The plot is slim, but beautifully presented and well acted by a large ensemble cast lead by Jean Muir, a talented and beautiful leading lady whose career was rather short-lived and filled with controversy. "The Wizard of Oz's" Clara Blandick pre-dated her Kansas farm woman here as the family matriarch, and gives a multi-faceted performance being simultaneously loving, resentful and strong. The handsome Donald Woods is rather bland as the next door neighbor, son of Polish immigrants who falls in love with the indecisive Muir but turns to her selfish younger sister when Muir turns down his marriage proposal. The characterizations of the Polish parents is fortunately lacking in stereotype, which usually presents them as overly cheery and eager to please in their new country. These elders originally settled in Boston before taking their chance in the country, so they know a bit more about American life than some of the uppity country folk think they do. Subtle prejudices are revealed towards them, a realistic touch for the hard-hitting depression era.
This film reminds us of the importance of the land and particularly reminded me of my growing up in the country in my pre-teen years with the memories of the picturesque farmhouse, huge barn, peach orchards and memories of people who seemed provincial but really were just fighting for their own dreams and ideals while the rest of the country looked on them as simpletons.
The plot is slim, but beautifully presented and well acted by a large ensemble cast lead by Jean Muir, a talented and beautiful leading lady whose career was rather short-lived and filled with controversy. "The Wizard of Oz's" Clara Blandick pre-dated her Kansas farm woman here as the family matriarch, and gives a multi-faceted performance being simultaneously loving, resentful and strong. The handsome Donald Woods is rather bland as the next door neighbor, son of Polish immigrants who falls in love with the indecisive Muir but turns to her selfish younger sister when Muir turns down his marriage proposal. The characterizations of the Polish parents is fortunately lacking in stereotype, which usually presents them as overly cheery and eager to please in their new country. These elders originally settled in Boston before taking their chance in the country, so they know a bit more about American life than some of the uppity country folk think they do. Subtle prejudices are revealed towards them, a realistic touch for the hard-hitting depression era.
This film reminds us of the importance of the land and particularly reminded me of my growing up in the country in my pre-teen years with the memories of the picturesque farmhouse, huge barn, peach orchards and memories of people who seemed provincial but really were just fighting for their own dreams and ideals while the rest of the country looked on them as simpletons.