An American man returns to the village of his birth in Ireland, where he finds love and conflict.
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Reviews
CinemaSerf
7
By CinemaSerf
I think what I enjoyed most about this gentle romantic drama is that John Ford allowed much more screen time to an ensemble of cast members who had all been instrumental in helping to establish John Wayne as the star he was. He's the former boxer "Thornton", returned to rural Ireland to a mixed welcome from those in his hometown as he plans to set up home on land once owned by his family. He manages to outbid local grandee "Danaher" (Victor McLaglen) with the widow "Sarah" (Mildred Natwick) and on settling in discovers the sheltering "Mary Kate" (Maureen O'Hara) who just happens to be the sister of his new-found nemesis. His presence is starting to polarise the villagers, but with the mischievous assistance of "Flynn" (Barry Fitzgerald) and local priest "Lonergan" (Ward Bond) he begins to court the woman in earnest. Loads of daft escapades ensue as she proves his equal in just about every way and her brother digs his heels in before a denouement that's amongst the most fun in cinema history. The colourful photography is straight out of "Glocca Morra" and Wayne shows us a slightly more versatile aspect to his otherwise rather more rudimentary acting style as he and an on form O'Hara spat away merrily. That said, it's really very much a film for the others to offer characterful support for a couple of hours that creates a comical and engaging community atmosphere and though it's remarkably light and fluffy, it's still a good watch.
