Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0
Starsììì
Gentleman’s Agreement—a
period piece—does not seem to use Gregory Peck to his greatest advantage. While
To Kill A Mockingbird absolutely
nails the problem of racial prejudice and ignorance between white and black
races, Gentlemen’s Agreement just
does not pack its weight to nail the real problem of Anti-Semitism . It seems it
would have been more effective to use documentary effects to show where Anti-Semitism really leads rather than this weak approach to the problem. The
much later film, Schindler’s List,
shows exactly how dangerous Anti-Semitism is. This film does not accomplish
that. especially concerning the time
period at which this film was made. It seems an understatement, inadequate, and
superfluous as if being snubbed by a neighborhood has equal rapport with
burning in crematorium. This weak approach to a
very serious issue relegates Anti-Semitism to issues that generally affect human
populations at large rather than see it for what it really is…a life-threatening
condition.
Storyline
Gentile
journalist Philip Schuyler Green assumes a Jewish identity to scope out a story
about 1947 American’s attitude toward people with Jewish roots.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Elia Kazan for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Darryl
F. Zanuck for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Kathy Lacy (Dorothy McGuire), Dave Goldman (John
Garfield), Anne Dettrey (Celeste Holm), Mrs. Green (Anne Revere), Elaine Wales
(June Havoc), John Minify (Albert Dekker), Jane (Jane Wyatt), and Tommy Green
(Dean Stockwell).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
No.
There are better films that are not afraid to tell the real story: Schindlers List, Julia, or The Boy in the
Striped Pajamas.
Video
Critique Available Here:
Ben Meyers
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