Friendly Persuasion

Everyone knows that Gary Cooper was a fantastic actor and won two Oscars. But he didn't win an Oscar for "Friendly Persuasion", and should have. I think this is perhaps his best performance. If you don't believe me, check out the parts involving the organ!

Anthony Perkins is also magnificent. Everyone always associates him with his best, and most well-known, role of Norman Bates in "Psycho." But he is very complex and moving in his struggle to decide between his religion and his country.

"Friendly Persuasion" is funny, dramatic, and extremely moving. It's a family classic that every movie buff should see. I give it a 10 out of 10!

Extra fun watching with fellow Quakers on a course in England, a film sensitively exploring the situation of Quakers at a transitional time in the 19th century, soon to on the whole discard the obsession with hats and the universal 'Thou' and 'Thee', but yet to be greatly challenged into 20th century with choices of behaviour at times of war. There's a lot of laughs but it stops short of mockery and there's real sympathy to be had for the Quaker nuclear family so well played here by all. The novelties and dissipations of the time are viewed through a Quaker lens and of course some kind of accommodation to it all, indeed to the matter of the civil war's challenges takes place, but all participants maintain their dignity and self-assurance. There's lots of mild innuendo and diversion from the serious matters, which all get wrapped up oddly satisfactorily in a little over 2 hours.

I can't add anything more, except this: One of my favorite scenes in the movie is the frozen stare from actor Russell Simpson's character aimed at young Jess during "Meeting." I hadn't seen anyone mention it and it's right up their with Samantha the goose for brilliance in film and direction. Needless to say, I adore this movie, have it on my DVR and would panic if I lost it.

Heartwarming, funny (sometimes hilarious), serious, beautifully filmed - many shots are so perfectly framed you could hang them on your wall. Every performance is perfect for the character in the story, including the goose, Samantha.

The change of pace provided by the interweaving of the characters' different stories, the appropriate & beautiful music for the various scenes, the sense of getting to know interesting people, genuine married love between two strong characters as well as the awakening of young love in a setting which has not had sex thrust in their faces, real friendship, the respect paid to religious convictions along with gentle humor at personal foibles - everything adds up to a wonderful film which sticks in the memory and needs just the opening bars of the title song to be brought back gloriously to mind.

Truly, one of the all-time great movies.

This is a genuine masterpiece of the great William Wyler. Perhaps the most careful director of all time Hollywood history. Only his hands could do so. An incomparable director. After 43 years still a freshly and delicious picture, a real portrait of sensibility !