Tom Rath should have accepted the position

Hello,

I just saw this movie for the first time yesterday, and really enjoyed it. I felt badly for both Rath and Hawkins in regards to how their wives and kids treated them. Now having read your comments, I think perhaps the backstory of the Hopkins' family should have been fleshed out a little more.

Was Hawkins that bad of a husband and father that his wife puts all the pressure on him - if he doesn't "do something" to fix their daughter right away, she'll never want to see or speak to him again? She willingly shares a final kiss and intense embrace with him, then (tearfully) cuts him off when he can't change their daughter. That just seemed SO unfair to me from what the film showed us.

As far as Betsey Rath, I thought she was being unreasonable and whiny with Tom over material things that weren't living up to her dreams. It was only after Tom revealed the affair and illegitimate son to her that I could sympathize with her outburst, but even so Tom made the point to her about "you wanted honesty - ok; I'll give it to you." I'm not sure WHY he did, but I believe Tom really loved her and, like another poster said, he strongly didn't expect to even survive the war and COME home AND, he was still a fallible human being who makes mistakes as we all do.

By the way... Fredric March is my favorite "talkies" actor and the only reason I watched this movie. His performance didn't disappoint in the least and I thought he looked terrific! Even pushing 60 years old he was still very handsome! Plus I always knew Gregory Peck was handsome, but he never sorta "wowed" me with his looks until this film. What an eye-candy double-feature this was for this silly girl!

"Think slow, act fast." --Buster Keaton