Gone With the Wind

Starring: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh
Director: Victor Fleming
Genre: Drama
Year: 1939
Rating: 3 / 5

Gone With the Wind is the epic masterpeice everyone says it is, and I felt honored to have my first viewing take place on the Big Screen, as this movie was meant to be seen. The efforts to restore the movie to its original condition have proven to be worthwhile, for the movie is as grand and spectacular as I had hoped it would be. Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh put forth Oscar-worthy turns as Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara, and the landscapes are picturesque and magical. That being said, how can I give this movie only three out of five stars?

It has been a long time since I despised a lead character as much as I grew to hate Scarlett O'Hara throughout the course of this movie. I find it difficult to truly love a movie if I cannot become emotionally invested in the movie's lead characters. (Exceptions to this are, of course, movies laden with special effects and thrill-packed action sequences.) I loved Scarlett right up until intermission. She is spunky, charismatic, and she did not always get what she wanted. She was born in difficult times, and she was doing her best to overcome these tremendous odds and live a decent life. The movie clicked back to life after this short recess, and I soon began to pray for the lovely Miss O'Hara's untimely death. (Sorry to ruin this for anyone, but, much to my chagrin, her death was not forthcoming.)

Scarlett O'Hara is one of the most selfish, egotistical, manipulative leading ladies to ever appear on screen. I have been told by some fellow viewers, female in gender, that she is a hero to women everywhere, for she answers to no one and does whatever she pleases. Well, if Scarlett O'Hara is a role model, I pray for the return of the Barbie Doll. Miss O'Hara is unfathomably full of herself, hopping from husband to husband to serve her own personal motives. She cares not for the effects her actions have on others, especially not those close to her. Her eternal quest is for the love of Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard), a man she has been determined to have, for no apparent reason, since the onset of the film. No obstacle, be it friend or foe, will stand in the way of her objective. She tramples right over Melanie Hamilton, one of the sweetest characters I have ever had the pleasure of watching, because Melanie had the audacity to win Ashley's heart.

Ashley, Ashley. Leslie Howard plays Ashley Wilkes as though he were some tragic hero, caught between the conflicting affections of two incredible women, his heart forever torn apart. Ashley is neither tragic nor a hero. His heart should belong with Melanie, a woman any man would consider himself lucky to have. Instead, while his body remains physically loyal to her, his heart is in perpetual turmoil, always declaring that loyalty prevents him from facing his feelings towards Scarlett.

With all of this turmoil, it might appear that I had forgotten who the main star of the movie was. Clark Gable is suave and sizzling as Captain Rhett Butler, the handsome, wealthy Confederate soldier adored by nearly all. He is smooth, considerate, and his own man. He is not without his faults, as he owns up to a certain degree of cowardice, and is considered in some circles to be a womanizer. Yet he finds that his heart pulls him to Scarlett O'Hara, as much as he swears to himself that he is "not the marrying sort." Despite his affections, despite his devotion, Rhett is simply not enough for Scarlett, since he is no Ashley. If Ashley were half the man Rhett is, I could be made to see Scarlett's perspective. But Rhett is nothing but honest, forthright, and truthful, and I found myself pulling for him all the way.

As I find myself on the verge of giving away too much of the plot, let me say this. I did not find myself staring at my watch, and, as four-hour movies go, this one trotted along at a brisk pace. As the movie approached its conclusion, the dramatic tension revolves around whether or not Rhett and Scarlett are truly right for each other, and whether or not they can "make things work." At that point, I did not even want the two of them to end up together, because Rhett deserves so much better than Scarlett. But I think I should let Rhett himself speak about my feelings as the end wore on: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

Cast:

Clark Gable..........	Rhett Butler
Vivien Leigh..........	Scarlett O'Hara
Leslie Howard..........	Ashley Wilkes
Olivia de Havilland..........	Melanie Hamilton

Certification: Rated G.
Running Time: 222 minutes.

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