Movie Monday: Gentleman’s Agreement (1947)

Today’s Movie Monday film review is about the movie that got my love for all classic films started. Gentleman’s Agreement was a movie I just happen to stumble up one Saturday about four years ago. Since initially watching this movie I have become a huge advocate of all things Old Hollywood! I could not be more grateful for this film and getting the opportunity to see it.

A ton of thanks goes to the Turner Classic Movies television network for simply existing because that is how I have explored almost all of the classic films I have watched. Now that I have got that off my chest, let’s get this movie review underway.

Gentleman’s Agreement is one movie chalk full of emotion. It may not make you cry by the end of the film, but it will surely make you think. There are so many actions and interactions to take into consideration while watching this film. The plot of this movie focuses on antisemitism, but really it touches on all forms of racism. This subject matter goes far beyond just talking about American society like the film focuses on, it goes to all of society at large.

Despite the difficult talking point, the entire cast of Gentleman’s Agreement was able to make the subject matter seem intense yet approachable all at the same time. This was no easy feat for the time era in which Gentleman’s Agreement was made. World War II had just ended and the entire world was just begging to find out what was really going on in Nazi Germany. Despite the obvious terrors that went on during the war, society at large (including the Unite States) was not accepting of those who were deemed different than the mainstream. The folks who were involved in making Gentleman’s Agreement were courageous enough to take this in their stride and face the bigotry head on by making this film.

I honestly feel like Gregory Peck was the perfect actor for the leading role in Gentleman’s Agreement. Several times I have tried to imagine the other big name actors of this time era replacing Peck in this role and I do not feel like it would have worked with the seriousness of the film. Cary Grant would not be able to pull off quite the same level of calmness that Peck did when faced with combative characters in this film. Humphrey Bogart is a little too gruff for the role of a newspaper writer altogether. Gregory Peck was the perfect guy for this role and he nailed it.

Another actor who was perfect for their role in Gentleman’s Agreement was Dorothy McGuire. I am not the only who feels this way either. McGuire was awarded an Oscar for there character in Gentleman’s Agreement, and for good reason too! She added a more emotional intensity to the storyline in this film, one that would not have existed if she hadn’t starred in it. McGuire was not just a love interest for Peck in Gentleman’s Agreement, she was a key puzzle piece in figuring out who the real anti-Semites are and who they are not.

I would highly recommend watching Gentleman’s Agreement as your starter Gregory Peck or Dorothy McGuire film. Watching this one first will give you a greater appreciation for all of their other, less serious movies.

I would also recommend watching this movie is you are new to classic films. It will leave you both curious about classic films, and their place in shaping modern society.

Much Love,

Sarah