I Want You

I Want You is an emotionally dense, multilayered family drama released in 1951. This film presents an absorbing exploration of the American home front during the Korean War. Starring Dana Andrews, Dorothy McGuire, and Farley Granger and directed by Mark Robson, the movie creates a strong representation of the vicissitudes the families undergo during the war.

In the heart of the story, we find George Kress Jr., played by the stunning Dana Andrews, who is a successful engineer living a peaceful life with his family in a small American town. In his portrayal, Andrews draws upon the inner struggle of a man burdened by a hard decision to make. Although the memories of his own experiences during World War II still weigh heavily upon him, George must now contemplate the potential of his own younger brother going off to another war.

George Jr.'s wife, Nancy, is portrayed by the forever elegant Dorothy McGuire. McGuire crafts a character shaped by love, warmth, and wisdom as she stands as the loving wife and mother holding the lively Kress family together during these tumultuous times. The couple's relationship, portrayed with credibility and depth by Andrews and McGuire, adds a greater sense of emotional connectivity, pushing the narrative beyond the typical war-time dramas.

Farley Granger brings to screen the role of George Kress Sr., the patriarch of the family and owner of a flourishing tool manufacturing company. George Sr. serves as the symbol of strength and unity, something that holds true value in these times of crisis. But the memories of one son's sacrifice in the last World War haunt him. As he grapples with fear of another son’s potential deployment, Farley Granger delivers an intense portrayal of a man torn between patriotism and fatherhood.

The cast also includes Robert Keith as the steadfast Harvey Landrum. Harvey is the local draft board official, a man stern in appearance but sensitive at heart. His character provides an interesting glimpse into the psychological trauma of those involved in sending young men to war. He faces his own turmoil over his son's possible conscription.

Mark Robson's approach to the story, interlacing the narratives of individual characters with the broader story of the effects of war on the home front, is applaudable. His directorial vision gives this movie a sense of grounding and complex emotion seldom found in the war films of the era. Balancing tender moments with war-time tension, Robson presents a story that is both tragically heart-breaking and undeniably uplifting.

"I Want You" is not merely a tale of a family enduring the painful reality of war. It serves as a broader exploration of American society during the Korea conflict, examining not just the dynamics of the Kress family, but also the neighboring families, factory workers, and school friends.

The screenplay, penned by Irwin Shaw, captures a series of profound moments and conversations that illustrate inner personal struggles of characters, their tension-filled relationships, and the transformation they undergo as the shadow of the war looms larger. It is these domestic sequences that prove to be the backbone of the plot development, often filled with stimulating dialogues providing a deeper understanding of each character.

Further enhancing the emotionality of the film is Leigh Harline's evocative score. It enlivens the movie's many dramatic episodes, lending an unsettling undercurrent to scenes depicting the fear and apprehension of wartime while maintaining a comforting blanket of sound in the heartwarming moments of familial cohesion.

Franz Planer's cinematography adds another layer of depth to the movie. His capturing of the small town's essence where the story unfolds, the quiet streets, the bustling factory, and the comfortable homes, further roots the film in a sense of reality, making the film all the more resonant.

In summary, I Want You is a war-time drama that does justice to its genre and much more. It stretches beyond the battlefields, delving into the life of the American home front and the families left to navigate the uncertainty. With an engaging narrative, authentic performances, and an emotionally resonant theme, this movie offers a valuable cinematic experience. The nuanced performances of Dana Andrews, Dorothy McGuire, and Farley Granger are an absolute delight to watch, and the profound message it communicates lands it square and center in the golden era of Hollywood's noted war-time dramas.