MovieChat Forums > Out of the Past Discussion > This is the greatest film noir ever

This is the greatest film noir ever

posted 8 years ago by JPLogan54
9 replies | jump to latest

I am just going to say. I have seen somewhere between 20 and 50 and film noirs and this one is my favorite. It's practically a perfect film.

[–] Bree_33 8 years ago

Out of the Past is superbly acted and directed. If there ever was a definitive film noir, this is it.

☁☀☁

------__@
----_`\<,_
___(*)/ (*)____
» nec spe,nec metu •´¯`» The Amazing Gene Tierney: https://i.imgur.com/rU4RCLn.gif

[–] Yxklyx 8 years ago

There must be two totally different versions of Out of the Past out there because I just cannot understand the accolades this film gets. To me, it's not even a good film, let alone a classic masterpiece. I've given it 2 1/2 viewings and don't intend to try again. The definitive film noir for me is The Asphalt Jungle or The Set Up.

[–] ColonelHansLanda 8 years ago

Interesting choice for favorites. I need to rewatch the Set Up -- only watched it once.

I got to see Asphalt Jungle on the big screens about a year ago.

For me the top two are Double Indemnity and The Maltese Falcon.

Oh, I love a picnic. Acres and acres of sand and all of it in your food.

[–] josephnatescott 8 years ago

It is practically a perfect film. And I think Detour is even better.

[–] DracTarashV 8 years ago

It's arguably THE quintessential film noir. Greatest or not, it's certainly up there with the best.

You want something corny? You got it!

[–] Riding46 8 years ago

Yep, I'd agree with that. Has all the key elements, femme fatale, betrayal, corruption etc. What is not to like with the great cast, intelligent script, superb direction and camera work and great use of locations.

[–] MaximRecoil (4059) 2 years ago

"Has all the key elements"

No, not enough rain (only one brief scene with rain), and few, if any, real night scenes (most, if not all, the night scenes were actually day-for-night scenes).

Bright and sunny isn't my idea of "noir" at all.

[–] Noir-It-All 7 years ago

I agree.

[–] csecet 7 years ago

One of the top five, opinions differ of course. I like Asphalt Jungle too. As one previous poster mentioned, do see Detour. Made in 1945, lower budget, but very noir with the lead actor recounting the events leading to his miserable existence. The best part is Anne Savage playing Vera, a hard bitten femme fatale that verbally abuses and blackmails Tom Neal into her schemes. She's mean, conniving, and makes no pretense of being anything else, unlike Jane Greer's Kathy who hides her real intentions. Nothing wrong with that either, it's just a different way of playing the bad girl. That was a signature role in her career. I just saw both recently, OOTP is better, has a glamorous cast and a bigger budget. Still, Detour is very good noir film too.