Summer – Splendor in the Grass
My mother’s favorite film has always been Splendor in the Grass, directed and produced by famed Elia Kazan. For me, way too much happens in the movie and there is too much drama to enjoy it although I think the themes are time-immortal.
My guess is that most viewers, including my mother, relate to the film’s ultimate meaning of a lost and glorious time in our lives that is gone forever but of which the soul has never forgotten. Indeed, the title of the movie (and the original book), come from poet William Wordsworth, who wrote “Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass (and) glory in the flower”.
Actress Natalie Wood whispers the poem’s stanza at the end of the film and captures the essence of her character Deanie Loomis’ now-lost “splendor in the grass” with both heartbreaking tenderness and strength. Watching, it always gives me a lump in the throat. I once saw an interview with Elia Kazan who explained how much he wanted Miss Wood to play the lead after he was convinced she recognized the importance of the white hat she would be asked to wear in that last scene. The hat symbolizes Deanie’s rebirth to a harsh and unforgiving adulthood even as she realizes that her most splendid days have passed.
I too, prefer the poem’s meaning over the movie with the exception of the last scene. I’ve been Deanie and so has my mother. But how happy mom and I felt the day I drove her home from a recent arduous hospital stay. To see her lovely porch and yard, the begonias tripping over the ivy in her two window boxes, and even the long wispy grass in desperate need of a good mowing, brought such relief and joy. As she and I sat on her porch last week and surveyed her beautiful yard and plants, we both had a sense of splendor in the grass. And I’ve been thinking of the movie ever since…
- Though nothing can bring back the hour
- Of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower
- We will grieve not; rather find
- Strength in what remains behind
5 Comments
Ann
Love the poem, love the movie, love the concept of having memories that are both bitter and sweet. Healthy blessings to your mom!
Dana
I have seen the 1980s remake with Melissa Gilbert but not the original. Will definitely watch it now. That last scene gets me every time and I cry buckets! I always wished that Deanie and Bud got together as it is obvious they love each other. Such yearning and strength displayed in that final scene and Wordsworth’s poem is perfect.
Karen
I haven’t watched this movie either, although I have known about it and also the Wordsworth poem it’s based on. I’ve had a few heartwarming/heart aching moments myself lately and recognize well that bittersweet feeling. Now I’m thinking, “you can’t always get what you want, you can’t always get what you want, you can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need” in the immortal words of the Rolling Stones.🎶🎵🎶🎵 And so we go.
Thank you for this post.
xo The Other Karen
Lori
I have never seen this movie. Now I am very curious and will watch it. What a lovely picture you painted of the memory with your mother.
Karen
Now there’s a movie I’ve actually never seen! But I do love the Wordsworth poem, too! There are moments in our lives that are so bittersweet and poignant as we realize we will never re-capture them. It reminds me of so many places in the Bible, especially Ecclesiastes, that explore the brevity of life, the fading flower of youth. I’m so glad you and your mom were able to have that moment, because that quiet moment will have its own special splendor in your memory.