As I watched "The Girl He Left Behind", I was very surprised. Considering that Tab Hunter was a hot property at the studio, you'd think Warner Brothers would have wanted to portray him as positively as possible. Additionally, Hollywood had a long history of portraying the US military very positively. But here in this film, Hunter plays a man that is easy to hate AND he is about as lousy a recruit you can find in a film! A strange film...that's for sure.
When the film begins, Andy Shaeffer (Tab Hunter) is a college student who is a bit of a mama's boy. In other words, he's spoiled. But while he's in college, he's immune to the peacetime draft. But after blowing a few exams, mostly because he is so spoiled, he flunks out...and is promptly drafted into the Army.
Now you'd THINK Andy would accept this and try to become a decent soldier. However, he's got a big mouth....and is a serious trouble-maker in the company. And, throughout his basic training, he's a complete jerk and the other recruits hate his guts. Will Andy ever straighten out or is he destined for court martial? Or, will his fellow soldiers kill him?!
As I already said, I am very surprised that the studio would allow Hunter to play such a despicable and unlikable character. But somehow it happened!! Apparently, Hunter was not pleased with the script either...so it's not just me complaining! Plus, as you watch you wonder WHY the military would put up with such repeated insubordination from a recruit. I'm no expert but assume in such a case he'd be in VERY serious trouble and the Army would not put up with him like they did in the film.
So despite this problem, is the film worth seeing? No! Even with the expected redemption at the end (much like in "Buck Privates"), Hunter plays such an unlikable, selfish and horrible person that it was tough even finishing the movie! They really should have tried to make his character likable in some way and not so worthless and awful. Yes, the guy he played really was THAT bad...to the detriment of the movie. Overall, a huge misfire for the studio and Hunter....despite a 'nice' ending that doesn't save the film but only serves to further accentuates how badly it was written.
When the film begins, Andy Shaeffer (Tab Hunter) is a college student who is a bit of a mama's boy. In other words, he's spoiled. But while he's in college, he's immune to the peacetime draft. But after blowing a few exams, mostly because he is so spoiled, he flunks out...and is promptly drafted into the Army.
Now you'd THINK Andy would accept this and try to become a decent soldier. However, he's got a big mouth....and is a serious trouble-maker in the company. And, throughout his basic training, he's a complete jerk and the other recruits hate his guts. Will Andy ever straighten out or is he destined for court martial? Or, will his fellow soldiers kill him?!
As I already said, I am very surprised that the studio would allow Hunter to play such a despicable and unlikable character. But somehow it happened!! Apparently, Hunter was not pleased with the script either...so it's not just me complaining! Plus, as you watch you wonder WHY the military would put up with such repeated insubordination from a recruit. I'm no expert but assume in such a case he'd be in VERY serious trouble and the Army would not put up with him like they did in the film.
So despite this problem, is the film worth seeing? No! Even with the expected redemption at the end (much like in "Buck Privates"), Hunter plays such an unlikable, selfish and horrible person that it was tough even finishing the movie! They really should have tried to make his character likable in some way and not so worthless and awful. Yes, the guy he played really was THAT bad...to the detriment of the movie. Overall, a huge misfire for the studio and Hunter....despite a 'nice' ending that doesn't save the film but only serves to further accentuates how badly it was written.