The Quiet Man (1954)

I found myself sitting in the middle of a lull in the conversation at a birthday party for Millie's grandpa, so I asked everyone what their favorite movie was. Almost every person in the room listed a movie that stared John Wayne, so my desire to find a good movie to watch was not looking too good. I should have understood this before I asked the question, that everyone in the room grew up admiring his "American" way of life. Fortunately they also listed some good musicals that I have seen, but I was quickly getting discouraged that I was not going to get any good ideas. Quietly, out of the corner of the room Millie's grandma said that her favorite movie was The Quiet Man. Instantly I felt horrible that I had just been trashing all John Wayne movies. Humbly (and humiliated) I told her that I had never seen the movie; she then offered to let me borrow it. Begrudgingly I took the movie and promised that I would watch it. Boy, would my mind soon change. First off, I have enjoyed many John Ford movies, and the fact that Maureen O'Hara was in it was not a bad start either. Suprisingly John Wayne gave an atypical performance. As a retired American boxer he returns to his families home land of Ireland with the desire to purchase the old family property. The beautiful movie developes and he falls in love with Maureen's character, but that is where the drama begins because her brother does not like John Wayne. The locals play an active roll in being match makers, to the delight of the audiance. The music and scenery are wonderful!! Watch for the famous kissing scene between Wayne and O'Hara which was used in ET. I am embarrased to say this but I truly enjoyed this movie, and have since added it near the bottom of my list. This is a family friendly movie, and is worth seeing just for the beauty of the landscapes.