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Rating: 4.25 out of 5
Have you ever had a strict boss, no one knew how to approach them, and they created a toxic environment where you did everything you could to not go to work. I mean, trying EVERYTHING possible to not work because your boss is such a pain in the ass. I had a boss who made the company do “To Do and To Did” lists. He also set the mornings for meetings. He thought he was this kind, sweet person, but in reality, he was a major asshole. When I left, it was such a happy time for me. Next time, I’ll go on my gut and ask more questions before taking a job like that. Here is the thing: the second in command is usually nice. The one everyone goes to and complains and hopes they talk to the main person to boost morale. We all have been through it. Have you ever heard of the film Mister Roberts? A film that has an all-star cast of Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, and Jack Lemmon. It is a comedy film in which Mister Roberts is the go-to person who tries to keep a warship’s morale up and going as World War II is about to end.
Set during the end of World War II, the US Navy cargo ship Reluctant operates in the Pacific Ocean so far away from enemy action that the crew spends their time bored out of their minds but trying to stay away from their captain. Lt. Doug Roberts (Fonda) is the executive officer and cargo chief but also the “therapist” on the ship. He spends much of his time protecting the crew from the harsh Lt. Commander Morton (Cagney). Morton is a crazy man and a micromanager from Hell. The symbol of the Reluctant is a single palm tree that was given to Morton during a supply run. The tree is displayed with pride and grace on the foredeck. Morton LOVES this palm tree. With his tree, Morton becomes an even bigger asshole and refuses his crew any liberty. Roberts shares quarters with Ensign Frank Thurlowe Pulver (Lemmon), the laundry and morale officer. As the morale officer, Pulver is terrible as he hardly ever leaves below deck. Even though Roberts is a good officer, he wants to fight in the war and see action. He repeatedly requests for a transfer, but Morton refuses to endorse his request, which gets denied by higher-ups.
The film is funny and intense in terms of storyline and its characters. When it comes to Roberts, the story is more intense because he has to handle the bullshit of Morton. He is the one that bribes admirals to make sure his men have liberty, gets his me out of jail or out of trouble, and really looks out for them. When the crew gets WASTED and acts like hooligans on the island, the Army MPs arrest many of them, along with some stealing a prized goat. Shit gets real as Morton gets reprimanded by the Rear Admiral, which in turn has Morton find his way to really control Roberts by granting his request, if becomes an asshole like him. When the crew sees a change in Roberts’ attitude and command, they start to turn on him.
Pulver has all the funny parts in this film. Pulver despises Morton and thinks of ways to annoy the captain but, for some reason, never follows through with any of his plans or threats. When he comes face to face with Morton, homeboy shrinks like a good shirt in hot laundry. This doesn’t stop Pulver, as when the ship rolls up on a small Pacific Island, Pulver sees a nurse he thinks is FOINE and wants to woo her. Pulver spits game and says he has Scotch. Doc and Roberts help make fake Scotch for Pulver. When the head nurse arrives to tour the ship, she brings all her assistant nurses. When the nurses discover that the ship has been spying on them, they state they will put up curtains. Pulver is saddened that he won’t find love.
When V-Day is announced, Roberts is ecstatic about the news, and Pulver wants to celebrate by putting a powerful firecracker under the captain’s bunk. When he gathers his explosives, they accidentally go off in the ship, and soon, the vessel is filled with soap suds. The scene is hilarious and even better when Pulver returns covered in soap. This scene was great to watch as Roberts, Pulver, and Doc get a good laugh. Roberts forgives Pulver and decides to think alone on the deck. You see, Pulver and Doc care for Roberts and vice versa.
On the deck, Roberts has a moment of clarity as he listens to an inspirational speech about freedom. Roberts looks at Morton’s palm tree, gives one of the best salutes ever, and yeets that muthasucka off the ship. Shit gets even crazier when Morton sees that the palm tree is missing and orders a general alarm. The scene is funny as the crew notices the tree missing. Some start bowing to the place it was at while others do a little dance. Roberts is greeted with respect as the crew knows he did it.
What happened after? Roberts is seen packing his bags as he has been approved for transfer. The only thing is that the crew forged Morton’s signature, and Roberts is approved to fight on the front lines. Morton has replaced the palm tree and put it under a strict 24-hour watch. The crew shows their respect by giving Roberts a medal with a brass palm tree hanging from a wide ribbon. Yet, this funny film ends on a sad note as Pulver receives a letter from Roberts saying how good things were on the front lines. Pulver opens another letter where it says that Roberts was killed in a surprise attack while having coffee. Pulver, saddened that his friend has died, gets up, walks over to the palm tree, and yeets that thing off the ship.
The acting of this film was great on some accounts. Henry Fonda was good as a calm commander who wanted the best for his men. I don’t think he raised his voice once during the whole movie. Fonda was the calming presence of the film. I want to say that James Cagney was tame in this film. I am so used to seeing him as a gangster that I forgot he was one of the best and most versatile actors ever. Cagney brought the strict Morton to life, but I was expecting more. Public Enemy and White Heat ruined it for me. Jack Lemmon was the best part of the entire film. He was funny, a little cooky, and fun to watch. I’m surprised Lemmon won the Academy Award for this role, but I get it as a supporting actor providing comic relief.
Mister Roberts is one of those films that will make you think about your career and the bosses you had. It is a film where one wants to get out of a toxic environment but has great co-workers. Fonda and Cagney are excellent in their respective roles, but Lemmon steals the show each time he is on screen. Watch this film as you might need a good laugh.
