"e y e s u i c i l l f r e"

PudgyPandaMan

You'll have to watch the movie to understand what my title means. Suffice it to say that by the end of the film, this cryptic message becomes true.

I'm not a big fan of pure gangster films, but this one is different. Perhaps due to the fact that it's based on a Graham Greene novel. That assures that the plot will never be boring, and will be infused with suspense, terror, intrigue and moral failings, as well as moral redemption.

This is a very good movie with fine performances by all the players involved. There are not a lot of "pretty" people in this film, but true character actors in the best sense of the word. Yes, some may play to obvious stereotypes, but it is done so convincingly so as not to come across cliché.

I enjoyed the sets and location shooting throughout the film. From the shabby mob walk-up apartment, the seedy dark alleys during one of the chases, the exuberant beach and boardwalk areas, the pier and amusement park, and the racetrack. It all keeps you sufficiently interested and in tune with the mood of the story as it evolves. There are several standout cinematography scenes like the "tunnel of horrors", the banister murder/fall, and the closing pier scene shot at night. I don't know a lot about filming, but I image back in the 40's it was difficult to adequately light night filming while still keeping it looking like night. It was very well done (unlike, say movies from the late 50's early 60's where the night shooting was obviously shot during the day but with a dark filter over the lens).

I did have trouble following some of the dialogue however, due to the clipped British accents. I'm afraid it caused me to lose some of the fluidity of the film. But I could still follow along. I wish it had been offered with closed captions.

I loved the gramophone recording sequence. While Pinkie is recording his hate filled message, Rose is looking in through the recording booth's glass, oblivious, with such love and admiration. It was quite a twist how it comes into play at the end of the movie - quite a different ending than from Graham Greene's book. I'm not sure which I would have preferred. Carol Marsh's portrayal of the sweet and innocent (though misled) Rose is a breath of fresh air amongst all the hardened, conscience-lacking mobsters.

There are Green's spiritual (mainly Catholic) inferences throughout the film - the rosary, confession, talk of the existence of hell and MAYBE a heaven, a sign at the track reading "The wages of sin is death", to the ending in the convent with Rose and a nun, and the final shot of the crucifix. Some hate the insertion of anything "religious" into entertainment (unless of the "occult" nature - then its perfectly fine), but I think it's a valuable tool and an important part of many people's lives - so why not represent it in film. This is not done much today for fear of "offending" someone. One of the last lines of the film is the Mother Superior telling Rose, "You or I cannot fathom the appalling strangeness of the mercy of God." Quite true in a world void of mercy - then and now.

score 9/10

PudgyPandaMan 8 January 2009

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw2003747/