Gone With the Wind is the story about a Southern girl’s (Vivien Leigh) hopeless love for a married gentleman (Clark Gable). Set against the background of the shameful slavery trade and the tragedy of American Civil war, the film plays with Rhett Butler (Clark Gable), a roguish wealthy man from a Charleston’s family falling for the feisty and self-centered Scarlett (Vivien Leigh). Directed by Victor Fleming and based on Margaret Mitchell’s novel Gone with the Wind, this movie is considered one of the most popular epics of all time. But it is not without some serious criticisms. Charles Spencer reviewed this movie long back and wrote in The Daily Telegraph, “Soullessly efficient show merely feels like one damn thing after another, an endless parade of unexciting incidents that leaves the viewer feeling neither shaken nor stirred.” The way this film glorifies slavery is atrocious. However, this movie depicts some real art. In “What is Art” Leo Tolstoy writes, “There is one indubitable indication separating real art from its counterfeit, namely, the infectiousness of real art. It must transmit the simplest feelings of common life, but such, always, as are accessible to all men in the entire world.” I believe that Gone with the wind fits Tolstoy’s bill. Even the title of this film mirrors the artistic simplicity. (Four one syllable words with a poetic charm).
Rhett Butler is an exemplary scoundrel and I like him for what he is. Scarlett is a product of proto-feminist literature. She is a Machiavellian manipulator with a perilous charm and even the smart Rhett cannot help falling for her. Socially-conscious critics of films and literature always consider themes centering on women an inferior subject matter. I do not see any feminism in this movie, despite many reviews suggest the opposite. Butler tells to her girl “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” He might have realized the effect of ‘not giving a damn” to the woman who loves him until he loses her; more or less like Almasy’s mental predisposition in English Patient, a brilliant movie showing heady romance. Both movies are about tragic and doomed romance., still very different from each other.
Many people compare Scarlett and Rhett Butler to Rick and Lisa in Casablanca. But I would say this is no way close to that great movie in terms of spirit. Clark Gable is not a great gentleman like Humphrey Bogart. Bogart sacrifices everything. He says in many places that “I stick my neck out for nobody.” But he gives up everything for his lost love, even his livelihood and passion. He is a more gutsy man too. See his eyes when he tells the chief of Third Reich “I was running guns in Ethiopia.” When his girlfriend does not show up in the railway station according to their plan to get out of France, he is teary eyed. I could feel the warmth of the tears on my cheeks when I saw this movie. That is the power of love and the respect he shows to Lisa. A thorough gentleman he is. Unfortunately, I could not see any of these elements in Gone with the Wind, if these two films are compared for their romance. However, seen with a different perspective, I find some real love, and lost opportunities to show it, in Gone with the Wind.
I enjoyed this movie for its artistic simplicity. The film set a paradigm for an inverse presentation approach where even glory dooms to shambles and the real effect is a conclusion of introspection.
Thursday, 3. December 2009
OMG Maheswaran - do you really feel all this? I really really liked Gone With the Wind and was so inspired by Scarlett O’Hara as a teenager. Rhett was THE MAN to die for. The ruthlessness, unscrupulousness and strength that Scarlett shows not only in gaining what she desires but to save Tara and its people through the Civil War really moved me. She wasn’t hopelessly in love with Rhett Butler - it was that spineless Ashley bloke that she pined for through out and by the time she realized that the only man for her was Rhett - he frankly didn’t give a damn.
I also thought it brought out the transition of African Americans from being slaves to beginning to find their feet quite well.
And I think that the movie is one of the few that really do justice to the book. The only other one I thought did that was Thorn Birds. Remember Father Ralph?? Oh wrong gender - you would remember Meggie na?
Friday, 4. December 2009
(Giggle) It is true that women find GWTW irresistable. I bagged my first girlfriend because she left a note full of adoration for Rhett Butler in the book and I found it when I borrowed it.
I worked the Rhett Butler angle to the max and she liked it. Thank god, I did not work the Casablanca Borgie angle - that came later in life with middle-aged breakups.
Monday, 7. December 2009
Hi Romila,
I agree with your idea that “the movie is one of the few that really do justice to the book.” Actually, i forgot about it.
Liking Butler is a different thing. Who will not? Being a colonel and all, having girls falling, lot of money, booze and so on. Not only women, even men would like him. This movie, however, is little close to my heart and my comments are very thought out.
Best Regards,
Mahesh
Wednesday, 9. December 2009
Arunesh - you are too funny!!! Middle-age break ups??? All I have to say is, “Here’s looking at you , kid” - If I refuse to approach middle age, you are way behind, my dear. I tried the Scarlett bit myself - doesn’t work though - didn’t find my Rhett Butler but have settled for my very own Henry Higgins!!!
Wednesday, 9. December 2009
And Maheswaran - what do you mean close to your heart - your review says you hated it!!! Now you’ve confused me!!!
Wednesday, 9. December 2009
I didn’t hate this movie. I am not comfortable with comparing Gone with the Wind with Casablanca and the way Melanie is being treated. Your Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison is the real name I believe) reminds me My Fair Lady. I liked this movie too. Call it a romantic comedy, but for me a its a pure romance. Remember, how Audrey Hepburn jumps when she gets a box of chocolates?
Mahesh
Monday, 14. December 2009
You have interesting perspective on the movie based on the Pulitzer prize-winning, best-selling novel. The title, “Gone with the Wind” is actually derived from the Ernest Dowson poem: “I have forgot much, Cynara! gone with the wind.” What I find so intriguing is that Margaret Mitchell almost named the main character Pansy O’Hara. Not a suitable name for such a feisty character. Thanks for your thought-provoking post!