Our Vines Have Tender Grapes

Our Vines Have Tender Grapes wonderfully captures the essence of the post-World War II era in rural Wisconsin. This 1945 film, directed by Roy Rowland, stars Edward G. Robinson, Margaret O'Brien, and James Craig, effortlessly blending strong performances, heartfelt stories, and vivid cinematography. It immerses us into a country-life setting, thus serving as a portal to a simpler yet stirring past where community bonds and farm life were integral aspects of everyday existence.

The story's central character is a hardworking Norwegian immigrant farmer, Martinius Jacobson, played by Edward G. Robinson. He resides in Kingmans Corner with his wife Bruna, portrayed by Agnes Moorehead, and their effervescent seven-year-old daughter Selma, delightfully portrayed by Margaret O'Brien. Contrary to his significant roles in crime and noir films, Robinson flawlessly diversifies his acting portfolio, emanating a warm and fatherly personality who seeks to provide a good life for his family.

The narrative unfolds through the innocent eyes of Selma, supplying us with an unfiltered child's perspective of the world. O'Brien shines in her role, with her enchanting performance effectively driving the narrative. The audience is taken along on her colorful adventures, from her interactions with her pet calf to her curiosity-driven explorations of her quaint town, creating a slice-of-life atmosphere that lures the viewer.

The film also features James Craig as newspaper editor and journalist Bjorn Bjornson, who brings another perspective of life outside the farm. His character embodies the allure of the city and the modern world, contrasting the idyllic, serene rural existence. This dichotomy further embellishes the narrative, and Craig's performance adds depth to his role, creating a compelling character that contrasts and complements the others.

Our Vines Have Tender Grapes delves into the community bonds that tie the people of Kingmans Corner together. This community, filled with diverse characters, weaves a rich tapestry that vividly illustrates the human condition in all its glory, joys, and tribulations. It celebrates the great human spirit in times of trials, shares lessons on coping with loss, and explores the pure joy that stems from the simplest things in life.

The film’s setting is its own character, embodying the rustic charm of the Midwest, and artistically captured through Harry Stradling Sr's cinematography. Stradling Sr. paints beautiful idyllic landscapes and crops that serve as the backdrop to the narrative. His camerawork encapsulates the heart-warming, simple community, their trials, and triumphs, eliciting an air of tranquility coupled with an underlying dynamism that reflects life's unpredictability.

Playfulness and drama complement each other throughout the film’s course. The rustic humor, the tinge of romance seen through adults' eyes, harsh realities tempered with innocence, and the strong sense of community, all make up the film's powerful essence. It highlights how individual tribulations can equally affect a close-knit community and how collective strength can help overcome them.

The coming-of-age undertones marking Selma's journey beautifully parallels the exploration of the adult world's intricacies. In doing so, Our Vines Have Tender Grapes creates a panorama of human emotions and life experiences. The child's world is warm, innocent, and uncomplicated, yet it subtly engages with complex issues. The film strikes a balanced chord between the innocence that dominates a child's world and the complexities of the adult world, proving its brilliance.

The pioneering screenplay written by Dalton Trumbo provides an honest depiction of the rural Midwest life of the time, illuminating its qualities. Trumbo immaculately encapsulates the echoes of a bygone era, merging them with universal themes like community, personal growth, family bonds, sacrifice, and aspirations. When combined with the film's artwork and the convincing performances, the screenplay considerably heightens the overall cinematic experience.

This heartwarming film strongly resonates with audiences even after more than seven decades of its release. Our Vines Have Tender Grapes illuminates the splendor of simplicity, the power of community, and the innocence of childhood against the charming backdrop of rural America. Its meticulous blend of performance, story, setting, and cinematography results in a film that evokes both nostalgia for a distant past and recognition of immutable human truths.