Come Back, Little Sheba

Come Back, Little Sheba is a 1952 drama film that derives its story from a play of the same name by William Inge. The film stars Burt Lancaster, Shirley Booth, and Terry Moore, with Booth reprising her role from the Broadway production. This film marked Booth’s film debut and won her the Academy Award for Best Actress for her poignant portrayal of a lonely, reminiscing wife.

The film encapsulates a tale of ordinary people leading ordinary lives; however, what makes it extraordinary is the multitude of emotions and struggles they experience. The screenplay adeptly uncovers the mundane, yet deeply complex facets of human relationships, articulating the impact of past actions on our present lives and our desperate attempts to escape their shadows.

Burt Lancaster plays Doc Delaney, a recovering alcoholic and a disappointed man, that lives in a small Midwestern town. His ordinary life takes a dramatic turn when he marries Lola (Shirley Booth), a woman he considered a substitute for his original love, leaving him in a constant state of regretful yearning. Lola, who has desperately tried to fit into the role of a dutiful wife, battles her insecurities related to her faded charm and the absence of children in their lives.

Once a vivacious woman, Lola is now battling her loneliness. She constantly talks about her lost dog, Sheba, signifying her longing for her lost youth and her deep-seated desires. When she isn't calling out for Sheba, she spends her time reminiscing about her younger, attractive self, unable to accept the irreversible flow of time.

On the other hand, a strong and stoic figure, Doc maintains the pretense of a content life, while internally struggling with his disarrayed emotions. He battles the demons of his past, the incidences he would rather forget, but which seem to loom larger with each passing day. The presence of Marie (Terry Moore), an attractive college student who rents a room in their house, further deepens his regret as he sees in her a reflection of his lost love.

The raw, emotional performances of the actors bring life to their characters and their struggles. Burt Lancaster, known for his charismatic and athletic roles, is surprisingly mature and compelling as a frustrated man grappling with his past. His struggle between his duties as a husband and repressed desires bring a certain depth to his character.

However, it's Shirley Booth that provides the film’s emotional core. Her embodiment of Lola’s loneliness and desperation earned her an Academy nod. The nuanced delivery of monologues, her ability to switch between cheerfulness and intense sadness, and her subtle facial expressions underline the complexity of her character. She flawlessly portrays the character's inner turmoil, her desperation for love, and her struggle with her self-image, while still maintaining an air of childlike innocence that adds another layer to her character.

Terry Moore also deserves special mention as the young student Marie. Her character not only brings an additional subplot to the storyline, but also serves as a symbolic representation of the youth and love that both Lola and Doc yearn for.

Come Back, Little Sheba is a poignant narrative about nostalgia, forgiveness, and undying hope. The film offers a slower pace, focusing more on the internal progression of its characters as opposed to high-intensity drama or action. Each character’s emotional journey portrait a realistic depiction of human yearning – love unrequited and time irrevocably lost, but also the hope of redemption and reconciliation.

Director Daniel Mann adeptly captures the simplicity and complexity of everyday life. The film’s setting, a modest house, becomes a character in its own right, symbolising different things to each of its inhabitants. Proper utilization of both visual and auditory elements creates a palpable sense of empathy, thus drawing the viewers into the life of its characters.

In conclusion, Come Back, Little Sheba is a timeless story that strikes a chord with viewers because of its emotional depth and relatable characters. It is one of those rare gems that celebrate the ordinary, shedding light on the profound struggles and triumphs that lie within simple lives. It spotlights ordinary people with extraordinary emotions and is definitely worth a watch.