Analysis of the Movie Sommersby directed by Jon Amiel

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Sommersby is a 1993 romantic drama film directed by Jon Amiel. It is a remake of the 1982 French Film Le retour de Martin Guerre (The return of Martin Guerre) by Daniel Vigne. Both of these stories center on a man who returns home after being away many years at war. Yet, the man who returns is an imposter, who appears to fool his family and the townspeople. It is not till near the end of each film, that you learn the truth.
Sommersby, is a story that draws in its audience with the American traits of idealism and romance. It is a story about Jack Sommersby returning to his wife Laurel after the civil war. But in reality it is Horace Townsend who returns, playing Jack. It is not until much later in the film that you learn he is an imposter. From Jack’s return home you look at him as someone attempting to live the American ideal of success, as well as the idealistic thought that a person can change for the better. American’s always want to believe that people change, that you can be better and that success is available to anyone who just puts forth the effort. Jack (Horace) epitomizes that belief. So Horace starts the movie with an American ideal that everyone considers at one point or another in their life, the ability to start over.
Jack (Horace) came home not the same man that he was before he left, but one who was kinder, more compassionate. Jack was seeking to not only be successful himself, but to allow the town people to be part of the American dream. In order to help his town, he believes that changing what they grow from cotton to Burley tobacco will bring prosperity to the town. To raise the cash for the crops, Jack (Horace) sells pieces of his farm off to people who will use this land to grow tobacco. This act allows more...

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...t from an injury he received. This was, as Jack (Horace) stated “probably the best luck he ever had” as he took Jack’s identity because didn’t like his own life. Jack(Horace) explains to Laurel that he wants to dies as Jack, as he “will never be Horace Townsend again.” This scene demonstrates the romance between Jack (Horace) and Laurel. But the crowning romantic moment is when Jack (Horace) tells Laurel that "being your husband is the only thing I've done in my life that I'm proud of."
Sommersby is truly an American remake that uses the idealism and romance to embrace the American audience. Horace, which almost sounds like hero, becomes the champion, saving the town, taking on equal rights, falling in love and sacrificing all for the greater good. His love is true and his commitment to his family and community are unequaled. Jack is the hero we all want to become.

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