The Grapes of Wrath

So yeah Grapes of Wrath was always one of those films i had heard about since i was a kid. "oh you have to see it" "its a really important story"  " it's so sad" "READ THE BOOK FIRST" and let me feel when you're a kid and you have no interest in reading.  THIS

is the last thing you want to read. but okay I'm an adult now; and might a say a big fan of literature an film, so i gave the movie a shot, and is it really a surprised that i loved it? here's the Grapes of Wrath.

set during the dust bowl of the 1920's " The Grapes of Wrath tells the story of  the Joad family as they are forced to under take an exodus from their former home to migrant work in California. the events unfold through the eyes of Todd the family's older son who recently returned from a prison sentencing. along the way The family undergoes series hardships as their old run down truck drags them down Route 66. From discrimination. to living in migrant camps, to even facing death among their numbers. the Joad family must continue onward in hopes of finding their place in the sun. 

films like this truly amaze me. I've gone on before about how certain ills act as documents to import moments in history, and this one is no different. every second of this film breathes the authenticity and sheer tragedy that was the south during the great depression. you genuinely feel for this family as they struggle to just stay alive. and when one of them passes away you just want to break down for them but they keep on going and then when people treat them less than human you want to stand up for them but AGAIN they keep on going. each and every member of the Joads holds their own in the dark chapter of their lives. 

the film in a lot of ways reminds  me of Schindler's List.. not so much in the raw intensity of the story, even though it can be a very intense story. no, its similar more in the way everything is presented. the plot tends to let someone else take the wheel for a bit. and it is there that we get to see the golden moments of this film. these, sort of day in the life, moments that present what it must have been like to be there/ you see the people affected by this , you see how they are willing to fight and nearly kill for one little shred of dignity. you see what happens when all dignity is lost and they are willing to give up so much for one more day of life. 

one of the finest characters in the film is Todd himself. who after missing so much of his family is obligated to lead them to the promised land. every step of the way his past catches up with him and yet he is always determined to lead his family to better land. almost making him a Val Jean/ Moses type. he's a man in search of purpose and when he sees what has happen dot the people he loves and too other people like him he gets this intense urge to fight for the salvation of the migrant worker.  i just love character sleek this.

in truth it is a long film maybe too long for some people. but let me tell you here is a genuine charm to a movie like this is really does get to you and i assure you you will love this family as much as i have.