Gone With the Wind has one of the best phrases ever to be found in a movie: “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” For 4 hours you watch Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable have this heart-breaking romance where timing (and common sense) are never on their side. There are parties, laughter, love triangles, depression, fire, and basically everything else you want in a classic movie. And of course, there’s love.

This movie takes place during the American Civil War. Scarlett (Vivien Leigh) just wants to be loved and enjoy the privileged life she was brought up in. However, war happens and Scarlett FINALLY gets a taste of reality. Everything she has is lost, including her unrequited lover, Ashley. He is married and goes to war and to many normal people he would be considered “Occupied” of “Taken” – but not to Scarlett. She was so blinded by her love for unattainable Ashley that she completely overlooked Clark Gable! Who does that? I don’t care if a married man seems more attractive to you, Scarlett, have you seen It Happened One Night? Believe me you, when Clark Gable so much as sneezes toward you, you kiss him, propose, and marry the pants off of that man!

Let’s just jump to the ending. Scarlett, after being widowed twice, doesn’t have much left when the war is over. However, she meets Rhett once more and they marry! yay. a happy ending. Though, it wouldn’t be such a famous movie if it did end that way. Nobody actually wants to see Scarlett happy – though after 4 hours you kind of want to see some happiness. So you have it – the last famous scene from one of the best movies out there: (SPOILER ALERT) Bonnie, Scarlett’s daughter whom Rhett loves dearly, dies after being thrown off a horse. However, instead of being heartbroken about her death (like Rhett was) she is still thinking about Ashley. Finally Rhett says he’s leaving her for good. Scarlett immediately regrets her decision and tells Rhett that it was him all along, not Ashley (yea, nice try Scarlett). Of course, being a logical man, he doesn’t care what Scarlett says and still leaves, thus uttering the phrase “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” Win for Rhett. #wfr

“Scarlett is left in her empty mansion alone, looking at the dawn, knowing that tomorrow is a new day thus giving her new hope.” This is what EVERY synopsis in the world says about the ending of this movie. WHY? Is it always necessary to have every movie end with the hope of tomorrow? Now don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of tomorrow just as much as the next person – Annie and I could be best friends, but for ONCE can the movie just end with “And Scarlett realized how stupid she was and looked out to the sky hoping a lightning bolt would kill her.” THAT is a more accurate ending to this story! You go through heartbreak and frustration for Rhett and it ends with “Scarlett looks forward to tomorrow”. NO. REJECT. This ending needs to go. Rhett needs to leave Scarlett and she needs to understand the GRAVITY of her mistakes. It is not fair to the audience to have it end this way. Scarlett needs to cry and tear her clothes and cry “STELLA” for this ending to be accurate.

Alright, I believe I have made my point. Gone With the Wind is an excellent film. Done very well. Clark and Vivien are extremely talented actors. I just wish Scarlett got a pie in her face at the end.

Go make some popcorn, have some tea, and watch this movie.

Sincerely Yours,

PFP