I normally don't write reviews that contain spoilers but found it difficult to do so with this film. I enjoy old movies and have no trouble with sentimental themes, but I found this film difficult to watch because of its unevenness. While Dalton Trumbo is nearly universally hailed as a screenwriter, and I haven't read the book it is based upon, I can't help think Trumbo did not do the book justice.
The main characters show no depth; what you see initially is what you see throughout. I would agree with many others that Margret O'Brien shines in her performance. Robinson and Moorehead finally play characters different from their standard fare but don't do much with the opportunity. Perhaps the problem is with the script and they are not asked for much.
The main problem I had was with the pacing and opportunities for some possible tension to interrupt the idyllic nature of the film. The film is slow but that isn't the issue. There are really only two segments that offer tension: the bathtub voyage in the river and the big barn fire. The river scene comes first and one might think the idea of two children afloat in a raging river would be tense. But, despite the half the town showing up for the rescue, nothing happens. The bathtub is easily captured and nothing dramatic was required of the rescue. One townsman, at zero risk to himself, climbed onto a sandbar and grabbed it. (You might envision a man hanging from a bridge by his feet and reaching down at the last moment or a chain of volunteers holding on to one another--or something.) The kids barely got wet and showed no fear, much less terror! I was stunned at the lost opportunity. Then, when one might think the movie simply would gloss over any hardship, the barn fire scene arrives and the viewer is pummeled. Not only did the farmer lose all, but all the animals had to be shot to prevent their suffering from dying by fire. Really?! From zero tension to hearing shot after shot after shot as cows and horses are put out of their misery?
The movie is hardly unwatchable and true buffs will want to see the out-of-character performances by Robinson and Moorehead, but I think of the movie as a lost opportunity.
The main characters show no depth; what you see initially is what you see throughout. I would agree with many others that Margret O'Brien shines in her performance. Robinson and Moorehead finally play characters different from their standard fare but don't do much with the opportunity. Perhaps the problem is with the script and they are not asked for much.
The main problem I had was with the pacing and opportunities for some possible tension to interrupt the idyllic nature of the film. The film is slow but that isn't the issue. There are really only two segments that offer tension: the bathtub voyage in the river and the big barn fire. The river scene comes first and one might think the idea of two children afloat in a raging river would be tense. But, despite the half the town showing up for the rescue, nothing happens. The bathtub is easily captured and nothing dramatic was required of the rescue. One townsman, at zero risk to himself, climbed onto a sandbar and grabbed it. (You might envision a man hanging from a bridge by his feet and reaching down at the last moment or a chain of volunteers holding on to one another--or something.) The kids barely got wet and showed no fear, much less terror! I was stunned at the lost opportunity. Then, when one might think the movie simply would gloss over any hardship, the barn fire scene arrives and the viewer is pummeled. Not only did the farmer lose all, but all the animals had to be shot to prevent their suffering from dying by fire. Really?! From zero tension to hearing shot after shot after shot as cows and horses are put out of their misery?
The movie is hardly unwatchable and true buffs will want to see the out-of-character performances by Robinson and Moorehead, but I think of the movie as a lost opportunity.