If you don't like the Claire Trevor character then watching this movie is really a pure hell. She's about the only good thing going in this film(although Esther Howard, the kooky drunk landlady is really worth watching - although she's hardly in the movie and Walter Sleazak, the detective, isn't bad).
There is lots of unbelievable bullcrap in the movie:
For instance, Elisha Wood's character is the only one who can control the temper (at times) of the Tierney chaacter. Tierney is so off-the-chain he murders his best friend and pulls a gun on his own wife.
Speaking of his wife, she's so dumb that she marries a man she barely knows (she has enough money that she could perform a simple check that would have told her he'd been in prison for 5 years). He's simply after her money and the power her money brings, as there seems to be no sexual attraction at all.
During the honeymoon, Tierney's character gets pissed that she won't let him run the newspaper! That's a ridiculous notion that he'd be so full of himself that he'd want to run a newspaper to begin with. And if he really was that ballsy, then she really had no business marrying him for that reason alone! After all, before the marriage he was a BOXER! Can anyone imagine Mike Tyspn running the San Francisco Chronicle?
Why would the landlady meet the Elisha COok character out in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night? Yeah she's a drunk but she seems to have more brains that anyone else in the movie other than Sleazak and Trevor.
Audrey Long and the guy who played the fiancee of Trevor are IMPOSSIBLE. Long talks like she rehearsed her scenes a million times and in this film, her acting ability is horrible and unbelievable. The man who played the finacee SUCKS!!!!!!!! That might be the worst acting ever (inclduing Ed Wood films).
The murder scene is truly the only scene worthy of any praise. Robert Wise is one of my favorite directors, but other than the murder scene, he seems to be missing.
We never did find out how Sleazak - and not the police - figured out that Tierney was the murderer. Did he have access to fingerprints and the police DID NOT? No one saw Tierney at the scene (and stayed alive) except the dog. Did the dog tell Sleazak?
That murder scene though... is a doozy.
Dire_Straits
Lover of all B&W; especially film-noir
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ksequoia
19 years ago
Wow! You guys are RUTHLESS! Trevor's fiance was Phil Terry (Joan Crawford's husband at the time) and not really a bad actor, but not a great one either. Look for him in "Too Each His Own" - not a bad performance. Trevor is good in anything she's in. Outstanding in "Key Largo". Yes, there were improbabilities, like the boozey lady meeting Cook in the deserted dunes. And she let the cab go!
Not smart. This is early Robert Wise, and he made up for it tenfold in future projects. The photography was EXCELLENT! The sets set EXCELLENT! And San Francisco was built for noir. Wasn't it? Tierney's character was out of control from the first scene. Full of himself and a total whackjob. Psychotic enough to think he could run a newspaper - yes. Look beyond the unlikeliness of the plot for the better noir elements. It's a good 6+/10. Tierney in real life was a nut too. Good casting there.
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Dire_Straits
19 years ago
If you have the DVD of this film, the commentary tells many an awful tale about Tierney, who was surely psychotic.
Dire_Straits
Lover of all B&W; especially film-noir
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ksequoia
19 years ago
I have the DVD but did not listen to the commentary. Will on the next-go-round.
And I agree: Film Noir Rox!
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Barton_Keys
19 years ago
Wow, you guys really think you know what you are talking about. Born to Kill is the epitome of American noir; the characters are great, the story is dark, the acting was only ok for the times (yet still better then anything done in the modern era), and the direction is quite good (part of those early Wise films, that so clearly shine above his overrated musicals). Someone was complaining of holes, but in reality there were very few none of which effected the plot, you just need to pay a more attention and think a little harder.
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ksequoia
19 years ago
Wow, I hope you don't think I am one of "you guys". I essentially defended the film and it's noir elements. But yes, we guys get to post here because we have an opinion and "think we know what we're talking about". Don't we?? Hmmmmm????
Epitome? Hardly. Couldn't find it in the top 50 of any noir list of anyone of reputation. However, I am happy you liked the film that much more than us.
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Barton_Keys
19 years ago
No, you were not “one of the guys,” I usually only look at the first person who writes something dumb. In response I never once called it a great film, I didn't even particularly like it, but it most definitely is the epitome of noir (as other far better films could also be described)...meaning that it’s an example of what a noir film is; to be the epitome of something you don’t have to be the best or even good.
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MovieMarauder
19 years ago
I don't hate the film, I just don't think it's the epitome of noir. I'll save this description for "Double Endemnity", "Out of the Past", or "D.O.A."
I don't really get what you mean when you say that the acting was good "for the times." In my opinion, actors back then were endlessly more talented than actors are today. Robert Mitchum blows Ben Affleck out of the water, and Catherine Zeta Jones PALES in comparison to Bette Davis.
I find it hard to praise "Born to Kill" because I feel nothing for the characters. Claire Trevor's character just seems like a sour, spiteful person. It's still a good movie, I just can't get into the characters.
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19 years ago
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Dire_Straits
19 years ago
I beg to differ....Tierney is the epitome of boring in this film.
And this isn't the epitome of noir at all. Some may like it but I don't. And I have seen a lot of noir in my time.
The murder scene is excellent though - one of the best I have ever seen. After that - forget it. This film sucks. Too many holes - too much bad acting.
Dire_Straits
Lover of all B&W; especially film-noir
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Noir-It-All
18 years ago
I felt the psychology of the film was very noir. Clair Trevor's character knew
she had a bad side but hung onto her fiancee to prevent that side from taking over. Duality is a theme in noir. I was interested in the film becaues Clair Trevor was in "Murder, My Sweet" as Mrs. Grayle. Clair Trevor was a good actress; the characters were quite different. Trevor's character in this film was born into the high society that Mrs. Grayle had to marry to get. Another feature of Film Noir that Born to Kill showed is the distinctive cinematography. I don't understand why Dillinger is so highly rated (part of my box set, too.) It wasn't historically correct at all, but I have to remember that isn't noir's goal. More thoughts: I don't think I will watch any of the films in Film Noir Classics 2 again. If I were able to suggest Film Noir Classics 3, I'd say "Kiss of Death," "Road House," "Pitfall, "Cornered" and, well, surprise me.
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18 years ago
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Noir-It-All
18 years ago
Thanks for telling me the titles in Volume 3. But, I am not happy and I agree with you that these are not classics. On Dangerous Ground sounds familiar. These Volumes have been my holiday presents for the last two years. Does anyone know if Criterion is issuing a good film noir title this year? Night and the City was my birthday present last year, LOL.
"I was in a tight spot but I managed to wiggle out of it." Mae West
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philroberts
18 years ago
I agree that it's the psychology in Born To Kill that's interesting because the plot and acting ain't great. It is however full of sexual tension and class conflict. Something attracts all these women (and one man) to devote themselve to Tierney, although he's so obviously a psycho. I think this film veers towards the melodramas of Sirk more than most noirs - and will probably appeal to fans of that genre.
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pdmh48
18 years ago
I agree with you. Some of the people seeing this for the first time take it all out of context. In 1947, this was a shocker! Also, Robert Wise directed it! shut up and learn!
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PseudoFilmCritic
14 years ago
Not one of my favorite noirs but it is easily one of the meanest and features the most double-crossing twists ever! Tierney is the meanest of all killers in this genre ever! No question in my mind about that. Gotta see Devil Thumbs a Ride someday.
Films are not reality. Reality is not film. Film is only an approximation of reality.
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Errington_92
10 years ago
Quite surprised by comments of bad acting in Lady of Deceit. Tierney and Trevor were magnificent together, full of sexual desire and sheer rage.
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".
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emjee-1
9 years ago
One thing I have learned in life and in movies is that you can't second guess
people's behavior. There are rich people that, after a whirlwind romance, marry weirdo's without checking their background! It happens a lot! You are questioning the behavior of Tierney's and Trevor's characters exactly like the film maker and writers intended! They have done their job superbly.
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