Gentleman's Agreement (1947) Review

Title: Gentleman's Agreement
Year: 1947
Director: Elia Kazan
Country: US
Language: English

Post World War II we see less escapism in Cinema and a lot more interest in realism. The first post-war film to win Best Picture was the honest, unflinching The Best Years of Our Lives (1946). The popularity of Italian Neorealism (Bicycle Thieves) helped bring in a wave of social commentary at the box office. 

In Gentleman's Agreement a reporter (Gregory Peck)  pretends to be Jewish in order to cover a story on anti-Semitism, and personally discovers the true depths of bigotry and hatred.

The social commentary in this film is quite in your face in regards to how clear it is. Once you see how intolerance acts, you can't pretend not to see it. Even the well meaning, "good" citizens can spread anti-Semitism by being too complacent about it. It's certainly an important message, but it is quite preachy. In addition, showing us this prejudice through the eyes of a gentile pretending to be Jewish is a little cringy.
 

Disctimination is not as obvious as the actions depicted in Gentleman's Agreement. It isn't as easy as "hotel manager decides to not rent a room to Jewish people." It is more subtle & hidden. The films good intentions are appreciated & I don't doubt that this film was innovative at the time, but presently the execution of the subject matter is problematic. It's not a film that will be viewed favourably as time goes on. 

Though Gregory Peck's acting is a little wooden, I do like the acting by Celeste Holm, John Garfield, and Dorothy McGuire. It's not Kazan's best work, but I do appreciate his direction. Cinematographer Arthur Miller's are quite remarkable and the highlight of this film.