Jimmy Stewart, as Chico, a sewer cleaner, periodically expresses the quote in my title, not in a bragging tone, and this is a rather remarkable film, certainly among my favorite Jimmy Stewart films, along with another sleeper: "Pot o' Gold". Yes, I know the latter film was his least favorite film role, but it's funnier than this film, and includes some nice informal music. I would characterize the present film as a comedic drama. The film is cute, but has serious aspects as well and, of course, the lead actors are cute. I think of it as a blue-collar version of "It Happened One Night".
Both Simone and Stewart seem incredibly young and innocent for their ages. I would have guessed Simone to be a mid-teen, but was 27. Despite the low status of his job, Stewart's Chico is brimming with cheerful confidence, yet Stewart clearly exhibits his classic "aw shucks" persona. John Qualen, as his pal "Sewer Rat" is also charismatic. Gale Sondergaard, as Simone's bigger, probably older, sister, Nana, is characterized as mean to Simone, beating her with a belt when she treated a fresh customer badly. In the early going , Simone, as Diane, seems very depressed, slothful(or just tired?), suicidal(as Chico discovers) and unfriendly to the customers. Not sure why, but she clearly has very low esteem. Thus, she is the very antithesis of Chico. Hence, she can't believe that Chico offers to marry her, suspecting it is out of pity rather than love. Chico denies this.
Chico's flat is on the 7th(top, I think) floor of the apartment building, hence the title of "7th Heaven". Of course, it's also derived from the belief of some that there are 7 tiers to heaven, the highest being the best. Chico remarks that those who work in the sewers by day like to be as close to the stars as possible at night. It is said that the people on that street lived between heaven and hell, there being a cathedral at the end. Despite these several references to heaven, Chico keeps repeating that he's a confirmed atheist.
The last part of the film is an emotional roller-coaster. Chico is drafted into the army(This being 1914 Paris): the same day he hoped to marry Diana. We see him subjected to a gas attack, then later, he's on a stretcher. There's no obvious injury, but he doesn't open his eyes when he speaks. Come armistice day, Diane is told by several friends that Chico was killed in action a few weeks ago.(He is lucky to have survived that long!) But Diana claims she spoke with him each of those days(not by telephone). Of course, given the prejudice of movies to end on a happy note, we suspect that these reports are somehow wrong. And they are, but he has an important handicap now. Nonetheless, Diana accepts him back into her life. She makes a living as a laundress.
Both Simone and Stewart seem incredibly young and innocent for their ages. I would have guessed Simone to be a mid-teen, but was 27. Despite the low status of his job, Stewart's Chico is brimming with cheerful confidence, yet Stewart clearly exhibits his classic "aw shucks" persona. John Qualen, as his pal "Sewer Rat" is also charismatic. Gale Sondergaard, as Simone's bigger, probably older, sister, Nana, is characterized as mean to Simone, beating her with a belt when she treated a fresh customer badly. In the early going , Simone, as Diane, seems very depressed, slothful(or just tired?), suicidal(as Chico discovers) and unfriendly to the customers. Not sure why, but she clearly has very low esteem. Thus, she is the very antithesis of Chico. Hence, she can't believe that Chico offers to marry her, suspecting it is out of pity rather than love. Chico denies this.
Chico's flat is on the 7th(top, I think) floor of the apartment building, hence the title of "7th Heaven". Of course, it's also derived from the belief of some that there are 7 tiers to heaven, the highest being the best. Chico remarks that those who work in the sewers by day like to be as close to the stars as possible at night. It is said that the people on that street lived between heaven and hell, there being a cathedral at the end. Despite these several references to heaven, Chico keeps repeating that he's a confirmed atheist.
The last part of the film is an emotional roller-coaster. Chico is drafted into the army(This being 1914 Paris): the same day he hoped to marry Diana. We see him subjected to a gas attack, then later, he's on a stretcher. There's no obvious injury, but he doesn't open his eyes when he speaks. Come armistice day, Diane is told by several friends that Chico was killed in action a few weeks ago.(He is lucky to have survived that long!) But Diana claims she spoke with him each of those days(not by telephone). Of course, given the prejudice of movies to end on a happy note, we suspect that these reports are somehow wrong. And they are, but he has an important handicap now. Nonetheless, Diana accepts him back into her life. She makes a living as a laundress.