Watch The Americanization of Emily

Set during World War II, "The Americanization of Emily" follows the story of Charlie Madison (James Garner), a Lieutenant Commander serving in the Navy. Charlie is a self-described coward who has managed to make it through the war without ever seeing combat. However, things change for him when he is given a new assignment in which he will be responsible for overseeing the filming of the first American landing on the beaches of Normandy.

At the same time, Charlie meets and falls in love with a British war widow named Emily Barham (Julie Andrews). Emily is initially resistant to Charlie's advances, as she is still grieving the loss of her husband. However, over time the two develop a close bond and Charlie begins to reevaluate his views on bravery and courage.

Meanwhile, Charlie's boss, Admiral William Jessup (Melvyn Douglas), is pushing for the landing at Normandy to be a show of American strength and morale. He wants the landing to be filmed and turned into a propaganda film that will rally the American public behind the war effort. Charlie begins to have misgivings about this plan, as he believes that it is immoral to use the sacrifices of soldiers for political gain.

As the date of the Normandy landing approaches, Charlie must grapple with his fear of dying in battle, his feelings for Emily, and his moral objections to using the war for propaganda purposes. The film ultimately asks viewers to consider what it means to be brave and heroic in times of war, and whether it is ever acceptable to use the suffering of others for political gain.

"The Americanization of Emily" is a thought-provoking and complex film that tackles weighty themes with a mix of humor and drama. Garner delivers a nuanced performance as Charlie, portraying him as a deeply flawed but ultimately sympathetic character. Andrews is equally strong as Emily, bringing both warmth and complexity to her portrayal of a woman struggling to move on from personal tragedy.

Perhaps the film's greatest strength is its willingness to tackle difficult questions about war and morality head-on. It doesn't shy away from depicting the horrors of combat, nor does it offer easy answers to the questions it raises. Instead, it leaves viewers to grapple with the idea that heroism and bravery can take many forms, and that the true measure of a person's character is how they conduct themselves in difficult times.

Overall, "The Americanization of Emily" is a classic film that remains just as relevant today as it was when it was first released over fifty years ago. It is a powerful reminder that, regardless of our individual views on war and politics, we must never forget the human toll of conflict, and the sacrifices that individual soldiers and their loved ones make in the name of duty and honor.

The Americanization of Emily is a 1964 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 68.