The Quiet Man

Embarrassing. And shockingly popular. Anyone who loves this ought to check out the Danish Morten Korch films. And, preferably, stay far away from me.

If you can get past the outdated sexism and morals (which, to be fair, the film sort of critiques, though one can say it also celebrates them), this is a good deal of fun. Wayne and O'Hara have good on-screen repoir, and the famous fist-fight is worth waiting for through some of the slower moments.

The story was dumb and boring. The whole film lacked energy, the characters were pathetic and unlikable, the acting and writing were terrible. It felt like something I should've been watching on MST3K.

An enjoyable love story that certainly models itself after its title. O'Hara is the real treat here, as her fiery redheaded character steals every scene she's in. Ford, through the use of vibrant colors and sing-songy characters, evokes a heavenly vision of his ancestral homeland, one that elides its faults and dwells on its strengths. This is a film by an older director longing for something more, something special in the world. It's great to be able to share that dream with him.

Like its protagonist, this is a quiet little film. It doesn't offend, it doesn't try to make you think too much, it just is. Consider the year it was made and you'll understand--this film is highly reflective of the feelings of that era. People were trying to get past WWII, wanted to go into the theater to get away from the cold war for a while, and needed a "good, wholesome guy" to admire. This delivered on all counts. It looks quaint today but that's what it was designed to be.