Pious, patriotic parable has seen its day, and watched it recede. Probably because the 'parable' format is most effective in narratives short enough to be consumed from a church pew. The writers are really not sure what to fill this 2 hr long story with. The protag is an insufferable bumpkin, and the script is a dumbed down affair aimed straight at the most thick-headed, rural individuals in a 1941 audience. (The phrase "Consarn-it!" is uttered about 30 times) Ultimately the match-up of the title arrives too late - it's much too long a movie - after the script fails to make Jabez deserving of this much interest, consideration or defense. And one scarcely needs a parable to understand why being such an insensitive clod is not the path forward. Jabez is cardboard, as are his dilemmas. The characterization throughout is shallow. The script underscores the same moral point again, and again, and again. It's extremely easy to turn off. I need far less repetition, jingoism and preachiness in a movie.
Behind the camera, there are some visual surprises that are still effective, but generally this is a harangue burdened by "good" characters who are more tiresome and off-putting than the bad ones. There are so many dated assumptions about the audience's views and values here. History has not been kind...
Behind the camera, there are some visual surprises that are still effective, but generally this is a harangue burdened by "good" characters who are more tiresome and off-putting than the bad ones. There are so many dated assumptions about the audience's views and values here. History has not been kind...