The Paris Theater is proud to continue our monthly screening series with the New York Film Critics Circle, in which members of the NYFCC appear in person at the Paris to introduce a film close to their heart, with filmmaker drop-ins and lively discussions always possible. The selections in this series frequently represent films that the NYFCC has awarded over the organization’s 90-plus year history.

For May, Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Kenneth Lonergan, writer and director of critically-acclaimed, award-winning films like You Can Count on Me, Margaret, and Manchester by the Sea, will be joined by NYFCC member and film critic Monica Castillo for a discussion following one of Lonergan’s favorite films:  William Wyler’s The Best Years of Our Lives. In addition to winning eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Wyler’s film won prizes for Best Film and Best Director at the 1946 New York Film Critics Circle Awards. 

“This is one of the best movies ever made, in my opinion,” said Lonergan. “I’ve seen it at least 20 times but never on a big screen, so don’t miss this chance.” 

Celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, the film follows three World War II veterans facing difficulties as they re-enter civilian life. Fred (Dana Andrews) is a war hero who, unable to compete with more highly skilled workers, has to return to his low-wage soda jerk job. Bank executive Al (Fredric March) gets into trouble for offering favorable loans to veterans. After losing both hands in the war, Homer (Harold Russell) returns to his loving fiancée, but must struggle to adjust.

Real-life military veteran Harold Russell, who lost both his hands during his service, made history as the first actor to win two Oscars for the same performance with this film: an honorary Oscar given to acknowledge his contribution, and then a surprise win for Best Supporting Actor.