Since You Went Away (1944) : Brief Review -

War heroes left homes with flags of patriotism, but they didn't know they were leaving their families uncovered. Know their story here. The 1940s decade gave us the best World War films; let's not argue about that. There have been films about the battlefield, horrors of war, spy dramas, inspiring musicals, comedies, family dramas, and even the post-war situation. Buck Privates (1941), Mrs. Miniver (1942), The Best of Our Lives (1946), Germany Year Zero (1948), and The Search (1948) can be named as a few. While almost every angle of the world war has been attempted, Cromwell had an idea to take up the story of a family-the women who are left behind by men to complete their patriotic duties towards the country. Well, it was hard, as we all know, but having a sneak peek into their daily lives was no ordinary job. John Cromwell does that here. Yes, it's a long film of almost 3 hours, with 10 minutes wasted in the overture and all, but it will never make you feel bored. It has various interesting scenes and events lined up one after another to keep you hooked on the film. The film is about a housewife who has to take care of her two daughters and the home as her husband is away fighting the war for the country. Let me tell you, the film doesn't show the face of her husband once. Not even once. Maybe that's the most unique part about it. The writer and the director wanted that character to be the one from every family; hence, they didn't give him a face. If they had, it would have become a personal family drama, not a film about society. Yes, Claudette Colbert has done "Cleopatra," "Imitation of Life," and "It Happened One Night," but this was her best on-screen performance. Period. The rest of the cast is good too. The screenplay, cinematography, editing, emotions, social appeal, and direction all go well. All said and done, this WW II flick will never go away from our memories.

RATING - 7.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.