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Yanks is a 1979 movie set in the early days of World War II when the US military was slowly entering the war. The story revolves around three people, John (Richard Gere), Matt (William Devane), and Jeannie (Lisa Eichhorn), whose lives intersect when they all come face to face with the consequences of war. John is stationed in the small town of Bolton in northern England, where he is fittingly nicknamed "Yank". John is the typical American soldier, charming and outgoing, but also homesick and longing for home. He becomes involved with two women, one of whom is older, Mrs. Clark (Vanessa Redgrave), and the other, a younger woman, Jeanne.

John and Jeanne's story is at the heart of the film. They meet in Bolton, where they are immediately attracted to each other. However, their relationship is complicated by the fact that John is a soldier from a foreign country, who may leave any day to fight in the war. Jeanne's situation is no less complicated - she's a young woman from a small English town, supported by her family and has never experienced the thrill of the outside world. They both want desperately to be with each other, despite the hurdles that seem to be in their way.

As they continue to see each other, Jeanne and John learn about each other's backgrounds and the challenges that each faces. Jeanne struggles with the traditional expectations of women in her community and her family's desire for her to marry a man from the area. John, on the other hand, wants to stay in England with Jeanne, but he also loves his country and his family. The pressures of war are felt throughout their relationship, as John realizes that he may have to leave Jeanne behind.

The movie is also a story of the town of Bolton, where John is stationed. The town becomes a microcosm of wartime life. As a military base, tensions arise between the townspeople and the Americans. The Americans, however, are not despicable characters, as some expected them to be. Rather, they are likable characters, who bring new opportunities and experiences to the people of Bolton. John, for example, becomes involved in a local dance, introducing the townspeople to new music and dance styles.

The movie does an excellent job of capturing the spirit of the era, with an attention to detail in its sets and the way people interact. The film's vibrancy comes not only from its characters but also from its score, which is full of authentic music from the era.

The cinematography is exquisite, with vivid landscapes of both the American and English countryside, as well as the town center of Bolton. The visuals are complemented by the script, which is well-developed, offering a great insight into the characters and their lives.

Yanks is an excellent portrayal of the human side of war, showing its impact on the regular people caught up in the conflict. At its core is a love story, one that transcends the usual boundaries that divide people. The performances of Richard Gere, Lisa Eichhorn, and Vanessa Redgrave are outstanding and true to their characters, who come alive with their nuances and intricacies.

This movie speaks to us about the differences between two cultures, the heartbreak of love, the yearning for home, and the challenges of war. It's a timeless story that remains relevant even today, as it deals with universal human emotions and experiences.

Yanks is a 1979 romance movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 21 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 54.