The Quiet Man (1952)

The Quiet Man is a true classic romance (and Irish slice-o'-life) movie with plenty of social and romantic tension, drama, and whimsy (bein' Irish an' all). They just don't make 'em like this anymore! John Wayne plays his trademark taciturn manly-man though with a visible vulnerability: A financially independent American bachelor, he has come to Ireland to buy his childhood home in Innisfree (paying a multiple of the asking price), apparently to take an early retirement -- and to put something painful in his past behind him. He promptly spies Maureen O'Hara as the fiery redheaded sister of his bachelor neighbor, a surly blockjawed cuss of a man played by Victor McLagen, and decides then and there that he will marry her as soon as possible. (First, of course, he must court her, as they sit on opposite sides of the surrey, with Barry Fitzgerald as the quintessential Irishman, Michaleen Oge Flynn, between them as matchmaker and chaperone, advising, "No pattyfingers, if you please. The proprieties at all times.") Red, as her brother is known, will have none of it, however, and he does everything in his power to block the lovers and to ruin their love. Even with the townsfolk's loving collusion and many a festive musical interlude, Wayne's dark secret eventually comes out as he realizes he has no choice but to face his fear and to fight the man for the honor of his woman. (He does not fear fighting, but winning.) The final scenes shift gears to become a maudlin romp. O'Hara's fiesty interaction with Wayne is half the fun of the movie; the Irish townsfolk's shenanigans are the rest. Theirs is a rich human community of sympathy, compassion, and collaboration (Red notwithstanding). Passion, mischief, and a special relationship are evident between the chaste lovers, and the movie rarely misses a chance for a spot of wry Irish humor. (My favorite scene is when the minister spies the bed after the wedding night, jumps to a conclusion, and remarks, "Impetuous! Homeric!") The Catholic and the Church of Ireland ministers add their own charm to that of the broguish rogues of the town. For a bonus, here is O'Hara's confession in Irish to her priest after the wedding night: "Níor lig mé m'fhear chéile isteach i mo leaba liom aréir. Chuir mé fuinneamh air a chodladh i -- Ó, i mála codlata! Mála codlata!" 4.5 stars.