Watch Homecoming
- Approved
- 1948
- 1 hr 53 min
-
6.8 (995)
Homecoming is a 1948 romantic drama film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Clark Gable, Lana Turner, and Anne Baxter. The film tells the story of a doctor who returns to his hometown after serving in World War II and falls for the wife of a wealthy plantation owner. The story begins as Dr. Ulysses Johnson (Clark Gable), a decorated war hero, returns home to his small Southern town of Warrensburg. Upon his arrival, he is greeted by his old friend and colleague, Dr. Robert Sunday (played by John Hodiak), who is glad to see him back in town. Johnson is quickly reminded of the stark differences between his small-town life and the life he led as a surgeon in Europe. He is no longer the same man he was when he left, and he struggles to find his place in this familiar but now-alien environment.
One day, while making his rounds at the local hospital, Johnson meets a woman named Jane (Anne Baxter), who is married to a wealthy plantation owner named Sidney (played by Ray Collins). Jane and Johnson immediately feel a spark between them, but they both know that pursuing a relationship would be complicated by Janeâs marriage. Despite this, they continue to see each other, and their relationship deepens.
Adding to the complication is the fact that Johnson is not the only one who finds Jane attractive. Sidneyâs cousin and business partner, Lt. âKitâtridge (played by Cameron Mitchell), is also smitten with her. He starts to stir up trouble when he realizes that there is something going on between Johnson and Jane.
Meanwhile, Robert Sundayâs wife, Penny (Lana Turner), starts to develop feelings for Johnson. These feelings are not reciprocated, as Johnson is still in love with Jane. Pennyâs jealousy and frustration boil over when she realizes that Jane has become the object of Johnsonâs affection.
The tension between all of these characters comes to a head when a hurricane hits the town, causing damage to the plantation and injuries to several people, including Jane. Johnson must put his skills as a surgeon to the test as he tends to Janeâs injuries and tries to save her life. The hurricane becomes a metaphor for the emotional turmoil that is churning beneath the surface of all of the charactersâ lives.
Homecoming is a well-crafted film that explores the themes of love, jealousy, and loyalty in the aftermath of war. The filmâs central characters are all struggling to find their place in the world after the upheaval of World War II. Johnsonâs return to his hometown is emblematic of the broader social and cultural changes that were taking place across the country at the time.
Clark Gable delivers a solid performance as Johnson, showing the depth of the characterâs emotional struggle as he tries to reconcile his wartime experiences with his return to civilian life. Lana Turner is equally impressive as Penny, conveying her conflicting emotions with nuance and subtlety. Anne Baxter gives a standout performance as Jane, conveying both the characterâs vulnerability and her quiet strength.
Overall, Homecoming is a moving film that tells a complex story with empathy and grace. It is a testament to the enduring power of love and the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Homecoming is a 1948 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.