The Americanization of Emily

Set in Britain in the days before the D-Day launch, this satirical 1964 World War II film stars James Garner as "dog-robber" Charlie Madison, an American officer who wheels and deals in order to keep the Navy Admiral (Melvyn Douglas) supplied with food, booze, and women in the midst of war rationing. Charlie is a self-proclaimed "professional coward" (and proud of it). Emily (Julie Andrews) is a young British war widow who unexpectedly falls for the crass, conniving, forthright American. Paddy Chayefsky adapted the satirical novel by William Bradford Huie, injecting an edgy humor into its portrayal of backroom dealing by military leaders, shameless manipulations of public relations, and reverence for the war dead. Garner is perfectly cast as the charming rogue and James Coburn is almost his match as the even more cynical fellow officer who has a sudden change of heart after the Admiral suffers a breakdown, sending Charlie into battle to film the invasion of D-Day as the Admiral requested. Stylishly directed by Arthur Hiller, The Americanization of Emily is as cynical as the characters it satirizes, although it never reconciles its objection to the glorification of death in battle with the reality of the fight against Hitler in WWII (still, the biting wit and snappy delivery makes it easier to swallow the confused messaging). Part of Warner's manufacture-on-demand Archive Collection, this Blu-ray debut features audio commentary by Hiller (recorded in 2005) and an archival behind-the-scenes featurette. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)