MovieChat Forums > Macao (1952) Discussion > Wow.

Wow.

posted 15 years ago by Mr_McLaurel
13 replies | jump to latest

Why the hell is this movie not an established classic with a Casablanca-like reputation? Hell, I'll say it now: It comes close to beating Casablanca at its own game! Sure, the plot doesn't make much sense but plot is hardly the point - this movie is all about atmosphere, character, and mood. And boy does this movie have mood! It's like stepping into another world - "Old Movie World," with all the cigarette smoke, black-and-white sultry glances, and knife-throwings that entails. 10/10.

What's the Spanish for drunken bum?

[–] darkkie 14 years ago

I'm a huge fan of Robert Mitchum and film noir so this seemed like a great one to track down. I did enjoy it a lot but I don't believe it comes close to a film like Casablanca. If you haven't already, you should check out a film called "Out of the Past". One of the best of the genre.

[–] Mr_McLaurel 14 years ago

Yeah I've seen Out of the Past. Objectively I don't doubt it's a better movie than Macao but it doesn't blow me away like Macao does. Something about it...it just embodies "Classic Hollywood" like no other movie I've seen.

What's the Spanish for drunken bum?

[–] agera 14 years ago

"...it just embodies "Classic Hollywood" like no other movie I've seen."

Agreed. No film has ever made better use of shutters, bamboo blinds, rickshaws, plants and white linen suits to set that tropical mood. But then Sternberg was a master of that kind of thing, especially in his use of various screens (curtains, strings of beads, foliage) that obscure and conceal and add that air of mystery and intrigue.

I watch this one every time it's on and can't understand why it doesn't have more of a following.

[–] vpilutis 14 years ago

"I watch this one every time it's on and can't understand why it doesn't have more of a following. "

I can it got on my nerves so slow moving? What does the plot matter?

In any film it does matter.

I'm a big fan of William & Robert, but Gloria sleep walks in many of her roles.

I'll pass

[–] agera 14 years ago

Plots are essential to cemeteries, not to movies.

Movies like Macao that are just drenched in atmosphere tickle me no end. Understand, it's not that I think any part of the tropics has ever been anything like what we see here. But I do love the Hollywood take on the tropics, the notion that you can show a few palms, ceiling fans and plantation shutters and hey presto! we're in the tropics!

Sternberg wasn't a very good director but he was a master at creating and sustaining an atmosphere that might not (OK, never is) believable but sure is enjoyable.

[–] petrilloi 13 years ago

Look at Sternberg's twenties and thirties movies before making the fatuous statement that he wasn't a good director!

[–] Enrique-8 13 years ago

PETRILLOI

Of course, Sternberg was fired by Howard Hughes about 1/3 into the movie's shoot. Goodness knows which parts are Nicholas Ray and which are Sternberg's.

Enrique Sanchez

[–] timmy_501 12 years ago

Sternberg wasn't a very good director

Just...wow. Sternberg is one of the great directors by any standard and in my personal top ten.

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[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] pauliwog1 12 years ago

When I am feeling poorly and need a lift, I do not reach for Casa Blanca, I play this over and over, and occasionaly view "His Kind of Woman" with Mitchum and Russel. The Film Noir is palpable, and Russel's voice is beautifuly lilting, espicially her "Five Little Miles From San Berdoo". There is a sweet consulation in these light Film Noir examples and I find them much more satisfying and entertaining than the current politically correct crap Hollywood produces. Mr McLaurel Hollywood has a history of not giving Howard Hughes due credit for his work. Many of his films are not listed, even on IMDB, some of his producer and director credits are not listed because he shared roles with others.

[–] xnet95 11 years ago

You gotta be kidding me! This is a second rate RKO flick where the original director didn't even finish the film. The story makes no sense. Why would Halloran leave the sanctuary of Macao when he knew the international police were trying to lure him out past the 3 mile line? The ENTIRE movie revolves around his paranoia of getting arrested, and then he decides to leave to get his diamonds back. Seems kind of flimsy to me. Plus, the short run-time and all the singing (padding) show that the story was weak.
Robert Mitchum is my favorite actor, but I would never watch this again.

Yawn...roll over...go back to sleep.

[–] pt100 10 years ago

I thought it was O.K., but not great. Even though it's not a long film, it seemed longer than it is. I found myself fast-forwarding through some of the musical numbers. I just watched it after forgetting that I had seen it a long time ago. Don't think I'll watch it a third time.

[–] rudeboymurray (3241) 4 years ago

As film noir goes, I think this is a lesser entry. Mitchum is fine but Russell is uncharismatic (and her songs are boring), the great character actors William Bendix and Gloria Grahame are wasted, and while Brad Dexter does well with what he is given, his villain is ultimately ineffectual and unmemorable. Other than the excellent pursuit of Mitchum towards the end, I think the best sequences are those on the ferry at the beginning of the movie.