Film Review #134: Gentleman’s Agreement
With prices for cinema tickets now reaching ridiculous heights it’s not often I will treat myself to a new release unless it’s something I simply cannot wait for. Instead, I’m happy to content myself with a cheap DVD or a film on TV which may have slipped through my critical net and, believe me, there have been far too many. Whether the films featured here are recent or old I’ll still be providing my honest opinion on them and, with the benefit of hindsight in many cases, may offer a slightly different take to contemporary reviewers.
Gentleman’s Agreement (1947)
It’s not unreasonable to assume that if Jewish people come up in a conversation there may be mention of the Holocaust which is something none of us should ever forget. What may surprise many people, myself included here, is the prevalence of anti-Semitism in the aftermath of the Second World War, a theme at the heart of the Oscar-winning Gentleman’s Agreement. Now, I’m not naive to believe that anti-Semitism doesn’t exist today, sadly it is still alive, but what I didn’t expect was some of the realities thrown up by this particular film.
Widowed journalist, Philip Green (Gregory Peck), has recently moved to New York when he is handed his next article by publisher John Minify (Albert Dekker) about anti-Semitism. Green is initially unenthusiastic, believing there isn’t anything he can write about the subject that hasn’t been said already. Eventually Green hits on the idea of pretending to be a Jew for six months and assessing whether he is treated any differently by the American citizens. What Green discovers is nothing short of appalling.
Philip Green is a devoted father to his son Tommy (Dean Stockwell) and is helped by his mother (Anne Revere) as they try to settle into a new life in New York. Once given a new article Green is determined to write a compelling piece but struggles to find an approach in the early stages. He is somewhat distracted by a blossoming romance with Minify’s niece Kathy Lacey (Dorothy McGuire) who was responsible for the idea for Green’s article but her approach to anti-Semitism and prejudice in real life bring her into fierce conflict with Green just when it seems their relationship couldn’t be any stronger. Despite accepting the article, Green doesn’t find a way to tackle it until coming up with the idea of pretending he and his family are Jews. They are new to New York and the masquerade should be straightforward. Green changes his surname to Greenberg and immediately begins observing just how tolerant post-war American society is towards Jews.
What Philip witnesses is shocking to say the least. He has a secretary who only secured a job because she changed her name having previously used her Jewish surname and never been successful. As soon as the name changed she found a job! Philip tries to book into a hotel in another scene and is not made welcome even though he dresses smartly and speaks politely. An added element to the film is Philip’s friendship with Dave Goldman (John Garfield) who is a Jew he has known since childhood and also finds New York very unforgiving because of his background. Philip goes from a loving romance with Kathy to seemingly irrevocable distance between them. Kathy is not prejudiced herself against Jewish people but she doesn’t question it even though it is all around her and this proves too much for Philip to stand and he chooses to be on his own. His whole family becomes entangled in the pain of his assignment, especially his son who endures fierce bullying at school. By the time Philip reaches the end of his article he has more than enough material for a very shocking read but what of the strained relationships his work has brought about?
For a film made in 1947 this is surprisingly controversial and brave. While there is no violence against Jewish people the prejudice on screen made it somehow worse. I consider myself very open-minded so to watch people greet Philip with warm smiles and handshakes only to retreat when they learn he is a Jew was shocking and shameful. You would have expected that Jewish people had suffered enough with the Holocaust but it seems they had survived many awful battles in their lives only to be faced with so many more. While Gentleman’s Agreement may all fall into place in typical Hollywood style at the end it’s still worth seeing just to see the development of Philips’ character who becomes absorbed in his assignment and he is clearly on the side of Jewish people and isn’t afraid to speak up against the prejudice they face.
Gentleman’s Agreement is a surprisingly shocking film for its age which boasts some good performances but at its core is the reality of the prolonged struggle of Jewish people in the aftermath of the Second World War where victory for the Allies should have been the end of suffering for everyone but sadly it never happened.
Verdict: 8/10
Living in Yorkshire, UK, married to Donna and playing frazzled Dad to six cats! I'm the author of fantasy novel Fezariu's Epiphany and I'm currently working on my second book, A World Apart.
Related posts:
- Film Review #27: The Infidel
- Film Review 44: The Golden Compass
- Film Review #43: My Life as a Dog
- Film Review #49: The Road
- Film Review #19: Frozen
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
I love watching old movies. I love the gentleman’s agreement movie, it can bring up great story of successful person. But because of one agreement, he lost the victory he has. Thanks for sharing the film review.
Tracyann0312 recently posted..סולידריות