Charity's Place

WILSON

REVIEWED BY SHANNON H.

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Because of: thematic elements

Rated:

Leadership is always a key quality sought in future world leaders and political figures. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr. and many more American leaders and movers/shakers portrayed the quality of leadership needed to motivate the people. When the first world war broke out, it was President Woodrow Wilson who kept the country together through not only leadership but his ability to inspire and motivate.

The film begins in the early 20th century when Woodrow Wilson (Alexander Knox) was a political science professor at Princeton University (so far, he is the only president to have earned a doctorate). He is seen attending college football games and entertaining his family by singing with them while playing the piano. He is approached one night by Senator Edward "Big Ed" Jones. Sen. Jones was impressed by the college professor's smarts and pedigree that he offered Wilson the opportunity to run for governor of New Jersey. At first, Wilson was slightly taken aback but his wife and daughters later convince him to give it a shot (as long as he didn't have to kiss any babies).

Professor Wilson starts his campaign for governor immediately by giving speeches and lectures to hopeful voters. During one night while he was giving a major campaign speech, he is challenged by Joseph Tumulty (Thomas Mitchell, Gone with the Wind, It's a Wonderful Life) who is skeptical of Wilson's ideas and reforms. The two of them talk it out until audience members settle Joseph down. The night of voting soon comes and Wilson wins by a landslide. Eventually, Joseph Tumulty becomes Wilson's secretary. Now the new governor and his family make the move from their home in Princeton to the state captial of Trenton, New Jersey. Wilson's job didn't seem that much difficult than that of his occupation as a college professor. He gave new reforms and passed laws. He also put down corruption when Sen. Jones paid him a visit, offering to bribe him. People are so pleased with Governor Wilson that they suggested he put in a ticket to be the Democratic nominee for the U.S. presidential race. However, Wilson wasn't so sure but he gives it a try anyway, believing that he has nothing to lose.

After several tense days and nights, Governor Wilson is awarded the nomination for the presidential race by the Democratic party. Running against two previous presidents, William Howard Taft (Republican) and Theodore Roosevelt (Independent/"Bull Moose Party"), it was figured that they would give Wilson a run for his money, literally. However, he manages to win over the American voters (all of them men) and takes the office of President of the United States. Everything seemed to go well for Wilson but then things took a turn for the worse. In the first two years of his presidency, Wilson's wife Ellen becomes ill with a liver disease and dies. To make things even more worse, a German submarine sinks a British ocean liner, carrying both European and American passengers. Wilson's cabinet considered that an act of war against the U.S.A. (World War One was already going on in Britain).

President Wilson struggles with the pain of his wife's death and the pressure of carrying a nation through a possible war. His daughters notice that he's always in a state of depression and not able to function mentally and emotionally. Soon Wilson meets Edith Galt, a widow from Virginia (who is a friend of a friend) and immediately is smitten. The film contains no violence, no profanity, and no sex (what do you expect from a film made in the 40s?) but there are slight rumor-based implications that Wilson had an affair with Edith before they were married since she keeps making frequent visits to the White House (the rumors are not true; Wilson didn't meet Edith until several months after the death of his wife). There is moderate Christian content in the film. Wilson and his family pray on a regular basis (it's implied, not seen) and in speeches, he makes reference to God as a spiritual guidance for himself and for the nation.

Having a college degree in history, I believe the film is accurate to a certain extent. After watching it several times and reading up on President Wilson, I've noticed some historical errors. First, the big White House wedding in the film never happened. Both Wilson and Edith wanted a small, quaint ceremony so they married at Edith's summer home and honeymooned there. Second, Edith never got along with Wilson's secretary, Joseph Tumulty. This rivalry was not depicted in the film (which I think is actually a good thing). Despite this movie's shortcomings, it's a good watch. It was made in the 1940s to boost morale and patriotism during the second World War. Wilson also garnered a few Academy Award nominations, too. Old war time songs like "Over There" are catchy and fun to sing ("Over There" was the American theme song to WWI). Newsreel clips of army parades and President Wilson drawing names for the war draft are also present, which gives the movie an authentic look. Above all, it's a great film to watch if you love history.