Review of Yanks

Introduction

Featuring an early appearance by Richard Gere; this film deals with the emotional impact of a large amount of American GIs being dumped in a corner of Lancashire during the Second World War. They were there to get ready for the counter offensive that became known as D-Day and as the saying goes they were `over paid, over-sexed and over here`.

The screenplay was jointly written by Colin Welland and Walter Bernstein. Colin Welland got an Oscar for the screenplay of `Chariots of Fire`. He stated the British were coming at the Oscar ceremony and then the Brits of course failed to live up to that-oh well.

Video

It`s hard to tell who the camera loves more, the female lead, Lisa Eichorn or the pouting Richard Gere. Eichorn is treated to a 1940`s style soft focus but Gere looks better.

The locations are around Lancashire and Yorkshire with some good period detail.

Audio

Nothing to report on the sound. The film has a slightly blowsy soundtrack.

Features

Nothing here-move on down the bus.

Conclusion

`Yanks` is an undemanding romanticised version of what happened when the Americans used us as a floating troop carrier in the Second World War. It must have been the closest some people ever got to mixing with that culture that is divided by a common language. We were damned grateful when the USA decided to pitch in and help the war effort but many people also resented the presence of so many well paid and well fed foreigners. Many of the girls were rather deprived of the basic necessities and the availability of so much temptation might have been hard to resist.

Coloured by nostalgia `Yanks` makes no claims to a serious exploration of the clash of cultures. It does make a slight foray into the dangerous waters of racism and points out that it was not all about equality for all in the States.

The film is badly let down by its rather wet leading lady Jean (Lisa Eichorn) who cannot make up her mind between her English soldier fiancée and the damn Yankee. Look the boy`s a chef girl, snap him up. Still she has a very able English supporting cast and a couple of Americans thrown in. The sadly underemployed William Devane makes up an adequate subplot with the aristocratic Vanessa Redgrave as his married friend. Another cast member of note is the late Rachel Roberts who turns in a consummate performance as Jean`s disapproving mother. Somehow I cannot see a follow-up being made where Jean marries her American and becomes a fat bored housewife in Arizona. Well Squeeze already wrote the song!

Another film that is enjoyable but not as classic as it would like. I`ve come to the point in my life where the acting of Richard Gere just annoys me. I think it was Chicago that did it.

Still after all that and despite its shortcomings it`s a great film to cry your eyes out too and therefore should be added to that guilty list of DVDs for suffering with.