recommended to noir fans!
I can't believe what a tight little thriller this movie is. I only heard of it by chance, but if you're a fan of film noir... highly recommended!
shareYes, I was pleasantly surprised and in awe when I saw this on TV about 25 years ago. The TV guide description intrigued me, and I recorded it on my old VHS VCR...finally have it on DVD tonight (TCM)...If the released DVD is good quality, will buy that too....anyone seen it?
I cannot believe how obscure this film is!!! This is one of the best film noirs I've seen and I don't generally argue for re-makes, but this is such an awesome script with some many interesting plot nuances.
The performances are just incredible. Almost all of the characters are sociopaths it seems and even the protagonists are so deeply flawed in one way or another. You do not know who can be trusted for a second. I rarely get so absorbed into a story that I begin to feel a sense of paranoia, uneasiness, despair at the shadiness and downrigh evil natures of human beings. I highly, highly recommend this film, very entertaining and thought provoking at times.
I almost never (in fact, I cannot recall ever doing so once) recommend that a film be re-made, but this script is so tight, so action packed (in a completely timeless, undated way) that I feel it would be a great success with the proper casting. I think Scorcese could do a tremendous job, but it is kind of ground he has covered before in a way.
"I pranked him to death with a tire iron"
You put forth a compelling argument for a remake, shtiffen...are you listening, Mr. Scorcese?
Was totally floored by this film.
Thanks for the compliment McKee.
Yes, the script would have to be re-worked a bit since there are some anachronisms, different realities in the world of today. For example, it is not very likely that a guy who ranked as one of the best boxers in the world and came within a hair of taking the title would be hacking a few years later (they make too much money to ever get that low...may have been kind of unrealistic even for its time, 1950's...and what professional athlete can you name has that kind of work ethic, not to mention an ego deflated enough to drive a cab?).
Not that top athletes never go bankrupt, but their idea of being down and out is a bit different than our own (if you will allow me that assumption).
I recall when Michael Vick was being released from prison and it was commented that he would have to get a construction job, the money is gone, etc etc. In the very next breath they were showing how his swimming pool was being opened and cleaned for his homecoming backyard barbeque party and day of fun. Pretty nice house, too. Guess there was some money somewhere!You see, to me, being penniless is almost that. I once did not have enough money on my first day of a job to purchase a lunch (way back in my early days after graduating college). On a whole other level there's all the already starving children in the world, so silly to even compare oneself to that. There are so many other avenues of income for even formerly famous athletes and entertainers (personal appearances, autograph signing/selling, tv commentating, book deals, speaking engagements, coaching, and on and on...I guess what I am trying to say is that earning ONLY $100,00 a year would seem like poverty to these guys). I've gone way off point haven't I?
Anyway, there a few other minor, cheesy things that can be dropped too, but overall just a superbly entertaining film.
"I pranked him to death with a tire iron"
Your points are well taken, shtiffen, and I appreciate everything you wrote, including your own personal experience. (Been there, as well.)
In light of those points, how about a remake along the lines of "L.A. Confidential"? Keep the same era, but throw in some "modern" elements (i.e. more realistic language and sexuality).
Yes, that is a good idea. For some reason I did not appreciate "LA Confidential" when I first saw it. I'm thinking that the reason for that is Kevin Spacey was an acquired taste for me and I had not seen him in much before that. I thought he was chewing the crap out of his scenes. Russell Crowe also failed to grab me and he has not done much to change that (I still feel "Gladiator" is one of the most overrated films of the past decade or so. Entertaining enough, just don't think it deserved so much hype.
Then I saw "The Usual Suspects" and my appreciation for Spacey increased. Then "American Beauty" convinced me that he is a truly gifted actor, if somewhat flawed (few are not when it comes to acting...I can name a few imo). Anyway, I appreciated "LA Conf" more the second time.
Hey, shtiffen. Again, agreed with you re Spacey in "LA Confidential", but thinking maybe that was part and parcel of the character he played. He was fantastic in "The Usual Suspects".
shareSpacey in "LA Confidential" was playing a character who had sold out and who then changed his life around.
"Two more swords and I'll be Queen of the Monkey People." Roseanne