Our Vines Have Tender Grapes

Rating:
Summary: The Best of Margaret O'Brian and Edward G. Robinson!
Review: I would give this movie 10 stars if I could! I was deeply affected by the acting and plot of this story. At the end of the movie I cried because one, I wished it wasn't over, and two, because I think it's a powerful gift when you can make someone laugh and cry at the same time. I think it's exciting when the characters come alive and you can relate to their feelings. That is exactly what happened to me when I saw this movie. This movie was so perfect. The cast includes Edward G. Robinson as the loving, caring father; Margaret O'Brian is the young, naive daughter; Agnes Moorehead is the over-protctive mother; and (my personal favorite) Jackie Jenkins as the annoying, but cute cousin. These characters all played an important role in this movie. If Jakie Jenkins wasn't there than Margaret O'Brian would not get into trouble. If Margaret O'Brian wasn't there than Edward G. Robinson wouldn't have anyone to wake up in the middle of the night just to go see the circus. I loved all of these characters, and I know you will to!

Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming story of father/daughter relationship
Review: I'm surprised that more people have not seen this movie. I saw it on one of the classic movie channels and loved it. Edward G. Robinson steps out of his usual gangster role and is totally convincing as a kind, tolerant, hardworking farmer trying to eke out a living and raise his daughter the best way he knows how. Margaret O'Brien is the daughter, and of course does an excellent job as the sweetest kid I've ever seen and she's believable! Agnes Morehead plays the mother--I was impressed with her as well, she always has played harsh,bitter women from what I've noticed and her portrayal in this movie is a total reversal. Some of the other actors may seem corny and maybe the story isn't as exciting as other movies but I'd recommend this one if you're into sentimental, happy-ending movies!

Rating:
Summary: A Neglected Classic That Teaches Lessons In Life
Review: This simple story offers sentiment without saccharine in its story of a farming family in a small community. Episodic in nature, the film follows the adventures of daughter Selma (Margaret O'Brien) and her friend Arnold (Jackie "Butch" Jenkins) as they, like the crops under her parents' care, grow into caring, loving individuals.

The cast is the great thing here. O'Brien was a gifted little actress, charming in her prissiness, and Jenkins equals her as her slightly pouty friend. Both offer memorable performances--but the truly remarkable performances here, the ones for which the film should be prized, come from Edward G. Robinson and Agnes Moorehead, who are cast against type in the roles of Selma's parents. Robinson, of course, is best remembered for his tough-guy roles, full of energetic bluster; Moorehead is most often recalled as one of the most memorable shrews in Hollywood history. But both show the range of their talents in this film, playing quietly, simply, and very movingly--and one regrets that both (particularly Moorehead) were not given more opportunity to play such in-depth roles more often.

Ultimately, VINES is about how parents teach their children and shape their lives--and about how children, for good or ill, learn lessons in life from their parents. Simply filmed, beautifully performed, and memorable from start to finish, it is a film that deserves wider recognition than it normally receives. An excellent family film that both parents and children will enjoy.