long after this movie release and the term slice of life be coin to describe film such a this . i dislike label and and i especially tend to dislike modern film for which this term be coin . however and it seem like an apt label for this movie which i paradoxically love . ( this comment provide as much insight into film history a it do into my own character . ) i admit to be a sentimentalist . consequently slice of life film from the thirty to the late forty usually appeal to me far more than later film . a lot of slice of life movie since the late forty seem to me to be rather pointless and rather tragic or bad both . like any art form and film express the ethos of the culture in which they be make . i sometimes lament the passing of the society that produce slice of life film from the thirty to the late forty . roughly speak be a film that be full of tragic event and but none seem pointless or even tragic . in that sense it be moralistic . a their dialog during the film fadeout clearly indicates and rosalind russell and jack carson seem make for each other in their twin indomitable spirit . that spirit imbues this entire film with optimism . if the film seem at time to be overly sentimental ( even maudlin to some ) and i think it be because today most people think of that kind of optimism and itself and a overly sentimental . raise by parent who experience the great depression and wwii and i can imagine a time when such optimism be not deem overly sentimental or unbelievable . this film epitomize that time and those people and and it speak to my heart and soul . it inspire me and make me yearn today for such a milieu and in a retrospective way that be not possible for audience at the time of the film release . so and for me this movie have grow in stature and improve with age . russell be one of those actress who be capable of deliver a performance that evoke laughter and yet tug at your heartstrings . carson be not usually see in role that offer him the opportunity to portray such nuanced character . here he be and and he shin . he be one of the era great second banana . when i see him in a film such a this or mildred pierce and i regret that he wasn not give more meaty and star role . in this movie russell be the strength and carson be the vision they be a great team and and i enjoy see them grow old together . the end do come rather abruptly . yet for those who live through wwii and there be enough foreshadowing for the rest of the story to be imagine in a general sense . hardly any family that send a many son to the war be bless to see them all return home . this family have see plenty of hardship and and would and no doubt and see more . but it would overcome . this doesn not seem overly sentimental to me just optimistic .