A Place in the Sun (1951)

This movie didn’t have any major faults that I could pick at. Basically, it was a very generic but enjoyable love story that with no icing to make it a really great movie. This movie was probably great when it first came out because of it’s purity as a simple love story. It’s originality probably made it a fan favorite. Supposedly, this was one of the movies that set the stage for all of the love stories down the road. The problem is, this wasn’t my original love story. It didn’t have the same originality and first-time impact for me. For me, it was almost too generic a love story. I mean, there are lots of comparable love stories around today, and movies like When Harry Met Sally added a little romantic comedy to the genre, giving it a new edge.

This movie is another example of one that has a lot of artistic quality compared to its entertainment quality. It’s a little more entertaining than other movies that I label as artsy, but it lacked the little bit of entertainment quality that would keep me focused for the whole movie.

One of the most interesting aspects of this movie is the unconventional ending. Most movies leave the audience with a sense of completion, fulfillment, and satisfaction after the protagonist reaches his goals and is satisfied with his fate. But this movie ends with the protagonist walking toward his execution in the electric chair. It seems as if he is not really content with his fate, and this subtracts from the feeling of satisfaction that comes from the resolution of the story. But perhaps he actually has reached his goals, and maybe he really is satisfied with his fate. I mean, he acquired the eternal love of his eternal love. It’s interesting. It makes you think about what really is important in life. I mean, if the end of the movie is supposed to be the moment of pure bliss after the conflict is resolved, and the movie ends with the protagonist walking to his death, than maybe some things in life (including true, eternal love) really are more important than life itself. It’s a lot like Romeo & Juliet; I wouldn’t be surprised if Angela Vickers committed suicide soon afterward. Wait a minute. He didn’t have a happy expression on the way to the electric chair. Maybe he hasn’t reached his goal. And if he hasn’t, then the protagonist has not made a complete circle in the movie, and nothing has been resolved.

In any case, it’s an interesting twist at the end. Unfortunately, an ending won’t make the whole movie.

Casper’s favorite film.