It's the hope that sustains the spirit of every GI: the dream of the day when he will finally return home. For three WWII veterans, the day has arrived. But for each man, the dream is about to become a nightmare.
Surprisingly modern: lean, direct, honest about issues that Hollywood then studiously avoided.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
4 Jan 2008
fresh:
One of the best pictures of our lives.
– Abel Green,
Variety,
19 Feb 2008
fresh:
Although it contains moving passages, Best Years is not much more than a conventional drama on the problems of servicemen attempting to adjust to life in postwar America, well served by an all-star cast and Toland's ingenious deep-focus setups.
– Elliott Stein,
Village Voice,
19 Feb 2008
fresh:
Profoundly and sensitively balances the private demons of scarred veterans and the press of public policies that leave their mark on daily life.
– Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
2 Jun 2014
fresh:
William Wyler's powerful, if cumbersome prestige picture ...