A steamily melodramatic Noir film with an unforgettable role by Marilyn Monroe and gorgeous scenarios
Thrilling and intriguing film in which the high water mark in suspense . For sheer power , for sheer magnetism , the show Marilyn Monroe puts on is as electric and as spectacular as Niagara itself . As two couples are visiting Niagara Falls , as Rose (Marilyn Monroe's walk across some cobblestones holds the record for the longest walk in cinema history - 116 feet of film) and George Loomis (Joseph Cotten as a mentally disturbed war veteran) are vacationing in a bungalow at Niagara Falls. Their relationship is getting worse and worse , as she is a sexpot honeymooner scheming to murder his husband . They met the Cuttlers, spending a late honeymoon in the next bungalow . By accident, Polly Cuttler (Jean Peters got the role of Polly Cutler after Anne Baxter withdrew ; after her withdrawal, the film was reworked to highlight Marilyn Monroe) is aware that Rose has a lover , and tensions between one spouse and her husband reach the level of killing .Suspense/thriller film dealing with two couples vacationing at famous location called Nigara Falls . Tension from the opening game going on until ending and never lets up , being for Noir genre aficionados . This is a tremendously exciting story of a heartless , lusting bitch and his dark plans along with a happy marriage who take a late holiday and become involved into a twisted scheme . It begins as a slow-moving intrigue but follows to surprise us with dark characters , strong supporting work , solid plot and in suspenseful style . Director Hathaway demonstrates his skills to heighten narrative tension and shoot suspense so exhilarating it made adrenalin run . Here he directs efficiently Marilyn and with strong screen presence by Joseph Cotten and Jean Peters . Marilyn Monroe is awesome in a bombshell role , she is a raging torrent of emotion that even nature can't control . Even though she had a starring role , Marilyn Monroe as a mean Femme Fatale , was still under contract to 20th Century-Fox as a stock actor at a fixed salary, so she actually made less money than her make-up man did . Glamorously photographed in glimmer Technicolor by Joseph MacDonald showing breathtaking outdoors from Niagara Falls .
This well-paced in cracking style flick was well written and produced by Charles Brackett ; being compellingly directed by Henry Hathaway , here he usually works very well , taking a firm grip on the emotion and suspense . Hathaway himself was only even nominated for an Oscar , but his movies themselves are testimony his ability on suspense , drama and action . He does the human touch and full of insight that accompanied him during most of his films and the story develops pleasantly in a large frame with an interesting plot and fully adjusted to the requirements of the action . Hathaway had a reputation as being difficult on actors, but some stars as John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe benefited under his direction , such as ¨Niagara¨. Henry was a craftsman who had a long career from the 30s with successful films , and especially Westerns , as ¨Brigham Young¨ and ¨Raw Hide¨ . In his 60s Hathaway still got the vigour to make some fiery movies as ¨From Hell to Texas¨, ¨How the West was won¨, ¨Nevada Smith¨, and ¨Shoot out¨ . He was an expert on Western genre as he proved in ¨True grit¨ , ¨Five card stud¨ , ¨Nevada Smith¨ ,¨How the West was won¨ , ¨Rawhide¨ , ¨Brigham Young¨ , ¨Buffalo Stampede¨, ¨Garden of evil¨ and ¨The sons of Katie Elder¨. ¨Niagara¨ rating : Very good Noir film that will appeal to Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotten fans . Worthwatching for Hathaway's superbly crafted realization and sensational exteriors .
score 7/10
ma-cortes 13 January 2013
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw2736143/35513
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