A COMPARISON OF ‘THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES’ AND ‘AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN’ WITH EMPHASIS UPON GENDER ROLES

The purpose of this research paper is to compare a classic film entitled ‘The Best Years Of Our Lives’ with a movie that reflects the more current times entitled ‘An Officer And A Gentleman’. The emphasis or chief interest by this author, although it is not reflected in the literature (i.e. critics and/or critiques) has to do with gender, specifically, gender as reflected in both films. ‘The Best Years Of Our Lives’ was voted best movie of the year in 1946. The film is basically about returning G.I.s, post-World War II, and the trials and periods of readjustment this group of ‘buddies’, or former comrades in arms, went through. One of them had a hook for an arm, who was in real life, an amputee and accurately reflected his misfortune in World War II. To a great extent, it is anticipated by this author that there will be much creative license throughout this research paper because this author is particularly interested in gender roles and how they were portrayed. With emphasis or comparison on the mid-1940s as compared to contemporary times.
‘An Officer And A Gentleman’ was a highly acclaimed film which included stars like ...