I was wondering, what is it that makes a movie a "Favorite"?

I think that right now, one of the best movies I have seen to date is "In Harm's Way". It stars John Wayne, Patricia Neal, Burgess Meredith, & so on & so forth. There is a certain feel to the movie that really tries to make you understand where the characters point of view (POV) is. The scenario: The Second World War is in full swing now and people have come made it their purpose in life to "play their part" or "do their duty for the country". In the movie there are several subplots, but the two I focus on are the two different characters in the Torrie family. The Father and the Son, which are both Naval Officers at this point in the picture. The older man played by John Wayne, is the Captain of a ship that plays his part in the way we all hope ship Captains are, fair to his men, doing 110% of the "Above and beyond" theory. He always puts his command (ship and men) in front of everything else. The younger of the two is an Ensign, green to the ways of the world and still driven by personal issues. Things like hormones and money are the main forces, which drive his life. The Contrast: There is a point in the movie where both Torrie's come to pickup their dates at the same residence. The pair living in the small apartment is an older Lieutenant played by Patricia Neal. She is a woman who is wise to the world and it's ups and downs. The woman, who was divorced due to a cheating husband, originally grew up on military bases as an Army brat. She sees things as they were, from a "life is not necessarily a wonderful thing" point of view. This has hardened her to the more flowery means of normal existence and placed her into a more humble view, where "the best things in life are free" if you can see them. The point is driven home numerous times when interaction between her and other characters are basic, blunt, rather cold, and to the point. The second is a much younger woman nurse. She is about 21 or so (I can't remember if they say it exactly but you get the jest of the situation). She grew up in a well-isolated place, the real quiet world of Vermont. The picture doesn't come out and say the word "naive", but should have somewhere used the actual description since I truly feel it would have fit in numerous places where you can't tell if she is being gullible or playing hard to get. (But that is just my opinion) Her interaction with others in the film could be characterized as free, fun loving, open, and what I term as ambiguous. The differences don't really hit home till the director started switching scenes back and forth more quickly and the contrasts became quite clear. Let me contrast of the younger of the two men (Ensign Torrie) against (Captain Rockwell "Rock" Torrie played by John Wayne) The young couple: We start with Ensign Torrie and the young nurse. He is the impetuous, flagrant money tosser who is trying to compensate for his lack of life experience with an overabundance of glitzy and overindulgence. He is trying wow the young woman nurse into his arms (or bed as you know later on. Well you can put 2 and 2 together). Everything points to his inexperience with life in general. He does not yet know what things are truly important to people in their lives. In the scene where the two of them are eating a private dinner together, the lighting for their meal was tall candles, soft lighting, and light jazz. Candles like they used were very expensive and an affectation for ambiance in that time (as told by the director). The dinner was "served" by the house servant who wore the typical white shirt, white jacket and black tie. The fact of opening a bottle of wine was the older couple, (John Wayne & Patricia Neal) are "old salts". Both are older, more seasoned and capable of "bottom line emotions". You have to remember that these characters are literally looking towards the idea of "Live today for tomorrow we shall die". They're cemented in the fact that if you take the long way, you might miss the present by planning the future or life truly is short and you have to put silly affectations in the trash and live while you can. I can't decide which is a better description but there you go. The simple act of cooking for someone, or good one-on-one conversation about what has been a changing factor in their lives are the real things that make the times and memories that are meaningful. I.E., The table light for their dinner, a small stubby dime store candle that was stuck in the middle of a cut out tin can. The area lighting was a bare light bulb, posing as a porch door light. The two made an entire evening out of making their own dinner. Instead of a horde or servants to make and serve their dinner, they made the whole thing themselves. The preparation was considered an entertainment to them. At one point She hands the Captain a tin can of vegetables to open and he opens it with his pocketknife. Even the simple knife was a shining example of American ingenuity and resourcefulness. He made the point of showing her the fact that it not only had two blades (a straight blade and a "skinning blade") but it also contained a can opener, screwdriver and a punch. You get the impression that to him, it was a work of art "and" a piece that could revolutionize the world, as we know it. These were people who are used to "making do with what they have" and "making the most of what was around". Did you get it?: If you watch the movie, the parts where the two separate pairs catch you off guard (if your not looking for a subplot). If you have time, do see it. I can't really say much more than what I have. The situation crosses into "how do you view life" and "what makes you happy"? Is it the flamboyant luxuries that make people happy, the simple things in life like sunrises and sunsets, or is it somewhere in-between where you find happiness in your life? My view: The things that work for me? Things like watching a fire in the fireplace with Bree or an evening listening to some classical music with the kids, lying on the living room floor, everyone’s head on the same big fluffy pillow (with one of those big crisp white pillow cases fresh from the dryer).