The title of this column is that of one of my favorite films. Directed by William Wyler, The Best Years of Our Lives, released in 1946, is a brilliant movie that is all the more poignant when you realize that it came during an era when most so-called war films often glorified battle and painted portraits of soldiers that were properly heroic but rarely explored their humanity.
The Best Years Of Our Lives showed us how those servicemen lucky enough to come home alive still had to make often difficult, taxing adjustments to civilian life. And the men and women who put their lives on the line and were in harm’s way for the good of our country and the world often returned to a home front that was uncaring and unfeeling about their and their families’ plights.
This led to a now old yet sadly still applicable darkly humored joke that went along the lines of, “Nothing’s too good for the men. That’s why they get so much of it.”
Prompting me to think of this masterful Wyler film was the HBO movie Taking Chance (which was covered by SHOOT in our profile of its director, Ross Katz, in last month’s Spring Directors Series; Katz signed with TWC for spot representation). While Taking Chance followed a fallen soldier’s return home in a casket, what of those who come back home emotionally scarred or physically disabled?
On the latter score, Lance O’Connor, executive producer of Aero Film, took a proactive stance.
O’Connor, who has worked with the U.S. State Department and Pentagon on numerous government film projects, felt outrage when he learned that soldiers paralyzed from injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan were not getting the support they needed. Money and government funds for advanced wheelchairs like the iBOT (which affords users a significant degree of mobility through cutting edge technology) had been discontinued, leaving those who had been seriously paralyzed unable to lead “normal” lives upon coming back home.
Hooking up with the Santa Monica Chapter of the YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), O’Connor coordinated a huge fund-raising gala–that was two years in the making–at the Raleigh Studios lot in Hollywood. The money that was raised went towards the purchase of 22 iBOT wheelchairs at a discount rate of $26,000 apiece.
O’Connor got financial support from assorted individuals and corporations, including American Airlines, which flew a dozen soldiers to the event held at Raleigh to receive their chairs, plus to be recognized for the sacrifices they made for their country. Business leaders from Los Angeles and around the nation attended the affair and contributed.
Dean Kamen, inventor of the iBot, was on hand and marveled at how the soldiers were using his technology. Some of the injured soldiers hit the dance floor for the first time since being injured, slow dancing with their wives after once again regaining some semblance of mobility via the iBot.
There were many touching scenes during the event, but more importantly, awareness had been heightened and support garnered for restoring the quality of life for these heroic veterans. As O’Connor affirmed, “These guys deserve nothing less.”
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Reach Divorce Settlement After 8 Years
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement, ending one of the longest and most contentious divorces in Hollywood history but not every legal issue between the two.
Jolie and Pitt signed off on a default declaration filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, saying they have entered into a written agreement on their marital and property rights. The settlement was first reported by People magazine.
"More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt," Jolie's attorney, James Simon, said in a statement. "She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family. This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over."
The filing says they give up the right to any future spousal financial support, but gives no other details. A judge will need to sign off on the agreement. An email late Monday night to Pitt's attorney seeking comment was not immediately answered.
Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, were among Hollywood's most prominent pairings for 12 years, two of them as a married couple. The Oscar winners have six children together.
Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, after a private jet flight from Europe during which she said Pitt physically abused her and their children. The FBI and child services officials investigated Pitt's actions on the flight. Two months later, the FBI released a statement saying it would not investigate further, and the U.S. attorney did not bring charges.
A heavily redacted FBI report obtained by The Associated Press in 2022 said that an agent provided a probable cause... Read More