Marlon Brando and Teresa Wright give fine performances as a disabled veteran and his girlfriend/wife. After Brando's character is paralyzed from the chest down in WWII, he goes through anger and denial before deciding to rebuild his life. After marrying his old girlfriend (Wright), he begins to question their life together and flees back to his old pals at the paralyzed veterans' center. All is forgiven as the two reconcile, resigned to a future they never could have planned.
Brando and Wright are good, of course. However, the film belongs to the supporting cast, primarily Jack Webb and Richard Erdman as Brando's paralyzed buddies at the veterans' center, and to Everett Sloane, who towers over everyone as a wise and brutally honest physician. It's not a feel-good movie, but one that gives valuable insight into the challenges faced by many men returning from war. It's also pretty daring for 1950, with its frank treatment of some pretty heavy subject matter.
Brando and Wright are good, of course. However, the film belongs to the supporting cast, primarily Jack Webb and Richard Erdman as Brando's paralyzed buddies at the veterans' center, and to Everett Sloane, who towers over everyone as a wise and brutally honest physician. It's not a feel-good movie, but one that gives valuable insight into the challenges faced by many men returning from war. It's also pretty daring for 1950, with its frank treatment of some pretty heavy subject matter.