Inexorable tragedy

bkoganbing

Around this time French film star Alain Delon was trying to broaden his appeal
internationally by doing some American films. He did a whole lot better with
this than with Texas Across The River.

Delon is a former crook trying to go straight as he has a wife Ann-Margret and a
small daughter. Not easy because a San Francisco detective Van Heflin is looking
to put him away any way he can. This was before the Miranda decision and
Heflin is ruthless in what he tries to do.

Delon might be able to resist Heflin, but when his older brother Jack Palance
calls it becomes too much. Palance is a big time operator and planner and has
a big score lined up. He also has part of a crew as well, the none too bright
Tony Musante and the psychotic John Davis Chandler.

There is such an air of tragedy around Delon that I've seen in very few other
films. No matter what he does he has a destiny he can't escape.

Ann-Margret sheds her sex kitten image and turns in a great performance as a
wife and mother fighting for her man and marriage against the fates. Too bad
the public didn't want to see her in serious stuff like Once A Thief.

This one's a keeper and a sleeper. It should be watched and become better known.

score 7/10

bkoganbing 25 December 2019

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw5351987/