Masterpiece

Ray was a superb director, but I don't agree that "In a Lonely Place" is a
masterpiece. It's captivating, intriguing, and at moments nasty. But it's a
flawed film. First off, the script is actually very thin, with little story
to it. I know, it's been described as a "character study", which is fine, but
the screenplay comes nowhere near such films as "Double Indemnity", "Laura",
and "The Postman Always Rings Twice" (I doubt the book "Lonely" is based on
comes anywhere near James Cain's books).

SPOILER ALERT:

I also find it frustrating that we SEE the hatcheck girl leave Bogart's
apartment. In other words, we, the audience, know he's not guilty. It would've
been much sharper to fade the scene out before she decides to leave. We would
wonder not only if Bogie was telling the truth, but also if Grahame was telling
the truth. If Bogie was lying about her leaving, then we'd know HE knew
Grahame was supplying him with a fake alibi. But the audience knows what
happened, and it dampens the enjoyment. In any case, not much else happens
in the movie. And the real killer is totally predictable. Not much suspense
there either.

Don't get me wrong. This is a fascinating, moody film (it's one of those
pictures that demands repeated viewings to truly appreciate its qualities).

As for the acting, I don't believe for a second that this is Bogart's finest
performance, as some have written. I've seen him do much better work than
this. But Grahame is a revelation, and I believe she gives the best performance
in the film. Because she was known as "a bit loony" in real life, one tends
to erase the barriers between the actress and her characters since she often
portrayed loopy women. This is the most "normal" character I have ever seen
her play, and she is simply marvelous.

Electric dialogue by an actor who "writes dialogue", direction by a master of the craft who quickly makes brilliant script changes as needed, excellent cinematography, taut film editing that display importance in every frame, and lighting (especially on Bogey's face) and production design with emotional relevance in every scene.

And, the actors and actresses are not too shabby.

But, it's the behind-the-camera crew assembled by Columbia that keeps this film the classic that it has remained. Fighting the young and challenging field of television for entertainment dollars in 1950, Columbia pulled out all the stops to show here that super talent still remained within the old film studio system.

E pluribus unum

Very close. A very honest look at the damage anger does to an individual and the people around him. And how difficult it is to control that anger, even when you know it's necessary.