Only Angels Have Wings (1939)

Howard Hawkes' Only Angels Have Wings explores a familiar theme. A group of alpha-male pilots stationed in a South American port city have to deal with the harshness of their job. In order to attain a contract, they are forced to venture out in bad weather, risking their lives. Colleagues die; they have to deal with it - somehow. This situation is explored with the mediation of a woman. This is a slightly typical move; it is the emotional reactions of a woman that sheds light on the situation. And yes, in this film, the gender patterns are almost exclusively shady. But still, the film also looks into variations within the group of pilots, some of whom try to appear as stone-faced Stoics, others show emotions more immediately. By no means was this a film that Opened my Eyes to Great Existential Issues - but it wasn't the worst film in the history of Hollywood either. Check out an elegant use of settings and a bunch of tight scenes. If you want a film that challenges ideas about emotional self-restraint, this is not bad at all.