MovieChat Forums > Crack-Up (1946) Discussion > Love film-noir but not this one...

Love film-noir but not this one...

posted 19 years ago by Dire_Straits
10 replies | jump to latest

Am I the only one to see this film 3 times and still not get anything out of it?

There's potential: Pat O'Brien and Claire Trevor - there's this that and the other and it's all supposed to be noir and it just doesn't sit well with me. It is perhaps the most disappointing film noir there is. To some extent, I wouldn't even call it 'film noir' - even though it tries hard at times to be.

A couple of good scenes (the train) but mostly powder-puff stuff. The last half of the movie is really boring and ridiculous. O'Brien should stick to playing a priest.

Watch only if you like to look at Claire Trevor - or love film noir.

Dire_Straits
lover of all B&W; especially film-noir

[–] Xcalat3 15 years ago

same here i really like noirs but this is not very good at all

When there's no more room in hell, The dead will walk the earth...

[–] HoferPM-1 13 years ago

Don't understand any of it either, but I love seeing Pat O'Brien (whom I met one time in St. Malachy's Church in Manhattan) ! Also Claire Trevor, Wallace Ford, Herbert Marshall and Ray Collins. What I look at in these black and white films are the decorations, ceiling fixtures, chairs, tables and clothing styles even though I don't have an idea of what's going on at all. LOL

[–] MissMcCrocodile 13 years ago

I saw it for the first time today and loved it! I felt like Pat O'Brien when he said "I don't trust anyone this week". I wouldn't even let myself trust Claire Trevor. I think it's a dandy little movie with a great cast. ***

Yes, sir, I'm going to do nothing like she's never been done before!

[–] FlamRatamacues 13 years ago

I really enjoyed it too. I went into it knowing nothing about it, except for the brief plot summary I read. I thought it sounded interesting, so I watched it.

If you watch this film expecting film noir, I can see how some might be disappointed, as some of the noir elements aren't as strong in this film as in others. If I had to classify this film, I would say that it is a thriller with noirish overtones.

But it kept my attention throughout, and I'm really surprised that it doesn't have a higher rating.

I am also interested in the divide between classical art and modern art, so that aspect of the storyline interested me as well.

[–] pt100 12 years ago

Yes, I liked it too. Admittedly, it's not nearly as strong an example of film noir as, say, Out of the Past (my favorite noir) or Double Indemnity (my second favorite). But it had most of the key visual and plot elements of noir, including urban night location filming; rain and fog; gritty and/or industrial sites, such as the train station platform, the pier, the freighter; and lots of shadow and unusual camera angles. It even had a femme fatale (Mary), though not as the main love interest. And the protagonist is a victim of poorly understood forces over which he has little or no control.

[–] printphi 12 years ago

I wouldn't call this film noir. I prefer your phrase, "with noirish overtones." I probably enjoyed it exactly because I'm not a big fan of film noir.

I didn't find the plot confusing or hard to follow. But I sometimes had a problem telling all of the white men with hats and suits from each other, especially in the scenes that were very dark (noir!).

[–] tesab-1 11 years ago

I loved the film! I thought the tension was great, and Ray Collins being the mastermind fooled me. I didn't like Pat O'Brien's character in the beginning, but he grew on me and I sympathized with him as the film progressed.

[–] spookyrat1 9 years ago

It doesn't add up to the sum of its parts. Like others, I admired the train wreck scene, but afterwards you just have to ask your self why? What was the point of involving Steele like that anyway? Over plotting to the point of contrivance and the denouement was frankly, laughable. 🐭

[–] agro_sydney 9 years ago

I enjoyed it and thought it was a good mystery

[–] greenbudgie 9 years ago

I liked the atmosphere in this one. Especially Pat O'Brien on the train. I think it has enough of the noir elements in it to be part of the genre.