So Big! (1932)

So Big! Poster

A farmer's widow takes on the land and her late husband's tempestuous son.

Film Overview
"So Big!" is a drama movie adjusted from Edna Ferber's Pulitzer Prize-winning book of the same name, So Big. Launched in 1932, directed by William A. Wellman and produced by Warner Bros., this movie stars Barbara Stanwyck ahead role as Selina Peake De Jong together with George Brent and Bette Davis. It's a story of trials, determination, and the connection of life set versus the background of the rural Midwest.

Plot Summary
Selina Peake, a young and dynamic female loses her father at a young age. As an orphan, she takes up a job as a school teacher in a Dutch community in High Prairie, making herself a modest income. There, Selina meets and falls in love with a regional farmer, Pervus De Jong. They get married and have actually a child called Dirk, nicknamed as "So Big", hinting the movie title.

Their life as a farming household isn't always smooth. Failing crops and the unanticipated death of Pervus confront Selina with tough realities of life. In spite of it all, she remains durable and is identified to offer her kid, Dirk, with the very best possible education and much better chances to excel in life. Selina involves Dirk deeply in farming while he grows fond of it, just to resent it later on in his life.

Character Development and Conflict
As Dirk gets older, he becomes disillusioned by their humble and hardworking lifestyle. This develops dispute between mom and son. Dirk, now a grown guy, abandons his household tradition of farming and pursues a profession in architecture in the city, against his mom's desires. His profession proves successful, but his over-ambition and greed lead him to compromise his values and principles.

In contrast, Selina remains a rock of strength, continuing to promote the values of wholesome hard work, natural beauty, and steadfast stability throughout Dirk's rough adolescence and the adult years. She embodies dedication, endurance and a deep understanding of the virtue of labor on the land, hoping sooner or later Dirk would recognize it too.

Resolutions and Themes
Regardless of the thriving however hollow life developed by Dirk, the film ends on a note of optimism. Dirk witnesses the success of a humble kid he grew up with, who stayed true to his roots and worked vigilantly in the field. This is a turning point for Dirk as he recognizes the nobility of labor and the futility of his own life, representing the triumph of Selina's life concepts over Dirk's misplaced ambitions.

The movie explores themes like the value of staying true to one's values, the disparity in between urban wealth and rural battle, and the rewarding nature of hard work. The title "So Big!" not only describes the label of Dirk but likewise characterizes Selina's enormous love, hard work, and sacrifices for her child.

Conclusion
"So Big!" is a poignant tale showcasing a mother's love and her fight against life's misfortunes. This adaption of Edna Ferber's unique successfully brings to life the essence of the story - the virtue of effort and the nobility of labour. The fine efficiencies, particularly by Barbara Stanwyck as Selina, provide a psychological depth to the narrative. In spite of its release in the age of the Great Depression, its themes feel timeless, making "So Big!" a traditional work of art in Dramatic Cinema.

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