The Grapes of Wrath

1940

Directed by John Ford

Netflix says… Tom Joad, a Depression-era everyman, leads his poor family on a harrowing journey from Oklahoma’s Dust Bowl to the promised land of California in this adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel.

I remember watching this in high school. It was during my 11th grade American Literature class. I also remember not really paying attention. Could I help it that the girl I had a crush on all through high school was sitting directly in my line of sight? Could I help it that I was more interested in watching her than in watching the movie?

It’s pretty depressing. Funny how a movie set during the Depression would be depressing. It depicts what seems to be the best and worst of people as this family interacts with strangers on their journey. And, yes, it made me cry here and there. Is that what you wanted to hear?