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Amazon.co.uk Review
Even under the heavy censorship of 1946 Hollywood, Lana Turner and John Garfield's libidinous desires burn up the screen in Tay Garnett's adaptation of James M. Cain's torrid crime melodrama. Platinum blond Turner is Cora, a restless sexpot stuck in a roadside diner married to mundane middle-aged fry cook Nick Smith (Cecil Kellaway) when handsome drifter Frank (Garfield) blows her way. It's lust at first sight, a rapacious desire that neither can break off, and before long they're plotting his demise--but in the wicked world of Cain nothing is that easy. Garnett's visual approach is subdued compared to the more expressionistic film noir of the period, but he's at no loss when he films the luminous Turner in her milky-white wardrobe. She radiates repressed sexuality and uncontrollable passion while Garfield's smart-talking loner Frank mixes street-smart swagger and scrappy toughness with vulnerability and sincere intensity. Co-star Hume Cronyn cuts a cold, calculating figure as their conniving lawyer, a chilly character that only increases our feelings for the murderous couple, victims of an all-consuming amour fou that drives their passions to extremes. --Sean Axmaker, Amazon.com
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
An unusual product of 1940s MGM, more known then for their musicals and melodramas, this is one of the quintessential film noirs, along with "The Maltese Falcon" and "Double Indemnity". John Garfield is a drifter who ends up in road side dinner and falls for the sexy, seductive wife of the boss (Lana Turner). Together they decide to kill her husband.
Lana Turner, a platinum blonde almost always in a virginal white (only changes to black in three key scenes) is sexier than ever, and has an amazing chemistry with Garfield. Her introduction alone is worth the price of the DVD. The plot is very good and the performances, not only from the leads but also the supporting cast are great.
The print is very good, although not perfect, but one hardly expects that from a 60 year old film. The DVD also includes a documentary on Garfield, the trailer and an introduction to the film.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a good film not a great film. The direction at points is lazy and the dialogue not as quick and witty as in some of the hollywood greats (Double Indemnity, His Girl Friday) but that is made up for by the enjoyable ride that the director and writers take you on. The sexual tension between Cora and Frank is explicit and even more tense for the reason that it isn't betrayed- the fact that this film was made during the era when Hollywood was restricted in its ability to film sex gives it an interesting tension. A modern version might be tempted to show Cora and Frank having sex. But because this version can't, we are in the position of the characters, we can see a relationship brim with sexuality but we don't see it articulated on screen. Hence our frustration like theirs advances through the picture- until the inevitable resolution. The scenes in court are wonderful- between the two lawyers with the cynicism of the system laid bare- possibly the point where the script rises to heights of humour seen in other films of the period. The culmination of the film rather lets it down with schmaltz but overall this is an excellent good film- it won't make you ponder any great questions that it raises, it won't infatuate you with its world but it will entertain you, amuse you and interest you for the time you view it. Its definitely a film that can become a family friend if not a teacher of great truths.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Frank Chambers (John Garfield) stops at a rural diner for a bite to eat, and after noticing the "Man Wanted" sign-ends up working there. The diner is run by beautiful Cora Smith (Lana Turner), and her much older husband, Nick (Cecil Kellaway). The animal attraction is evident from the off and the pair soon enter into an affair. It's an affair that will have far reaching consequences for all three parties.
Forget any remake and go straight to this, the best adaptation of James M. Cain's hard hitting novel. Out of MGM, it's nice to say that the studio, in spite of 1940s censors, let director Tay Garnett put vitality into Cain's novel and more crucially,! let Turner fan the flames of smouldering passion. From the moment the camera pans from her shapely foot to the silky blonde mop that sits above her beautiful face, we know that Frank Chambers, and us the audience, are about to be taken in hook line and sinker.
Much has been made of the over-use of lighting with Turner in the film, that complaint is something I just can't truck with in any shape or form. It's not for nothing that Turner's Cora is virginal white for 98% of the picture, surely a sign that Cora is in need of some dark to lighten her dark existence. Sounds weird I'm sure, but there it is, and the lighting only emphasises that virginal quality about to be steered down a troubled road. It should also be noted that the only time she's out of white is for the particularly dark moments in her life. It's a confliction with the Noir ethic to utilise whiteness, but this is a very different femme fatale, more vulnerable and searching for love, even if ultimately it's car crash love. John Garfield matches Turner in performance. A performance that gathers momentum at every quarter. So it's no surprise to find that both actors got a positive response from critics and public alike. But the support is also very strong, particularly Hume Cronyn & Leon Ames. While Kellaway absolutely nails that good old harmless old boy seriously in denial-out of his depth character-with some aplomb.
I personally was delighted with a different sort of film-noir viewing here. And I have to say that I avoided this film on account of having watched the Jack Nicholson remake first, years ago; and found it immeasurably dull. This is a different animal, much like the female protagonist funnily enough. Perhaps the final word should come from James M. Cain himself? Who after seeing what Turner did with the role of Cora gave her a gift of a leather bound first edition of the book, the inscription said "For my dear Lana, thank you for giving a performance that was finer than I expected."
Tis true that, lighting be damned! 8/10
Forget any remake and go straight to this, the best adaptation of James M. Cain's hard hitting novel. Out of MGM, it's nice to say that the studio, in spite of 1940s censors, let director Tay Garnett put vitality into Cain's novel and more crucially,! let Turner fan the flames of smouldering passion. From the moment the camera pans from her shapely foot to the silky blonde mop that sits above her beautiful face, we know that Frank Chambers, and us the audience, are about to be taken in hook line and sinker.
Much has been made of the over-use of lighting with Turner in the film, that complaint is something I just can't truck with in any shape or form. It's not for nothing that Turner's Cora is virginal white for 98% of the picture, surely a sign that Cora is in need of some dark to lighten her dark existence. Sounds weird I'm sure, but there it is, and the lighting only emphasises that virginal quality about to be steered down a troubled road. It should also be noted that the only time she's out of white is for the particularly dark moments in her life. It's a confliction with the Noir ethic to utilise whiteness, but this is a very different femme fatale, more vulnerable and searching for love, even if ultimately it's car crash love. John Garfield matches Turner in performance. A performance that gathers momentum at every quarter. So it's no surprise to find that both actors got a positive response from critics and public alike. But the support is also very strong, particularly Hume Cronyn & Leon Ames. While Kellaway absolutely nails that good old harmless old boy seriously in denial-out of his depth character-with some aplomb.
I personally was delighted with a different sort of film-noir viewing here. And I have to say that I avoided this film on account of having watched the Jack Nicholson remake first, years ago; and found it immeasurably dull. This is a different animal, much like the female protagonist funnily enough. Perhaps the final word should come from James M. Cain himself? Who after seeing what Turner did with the role of Cora gave her a gift of a leather bound first edition of the book, the inscription said "For my dear Lana, thank you for giving a performance that was finer than I expected."
Tis true that, lighting be damned! 8/10
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
so let down
I remember being really excited when "Independence Day" was released. I remember the buildup - the clips of the white house exploding, etc. Read more
Published 28 days ago by Biffer Spice
Smouldering noir movie of a stark, erotic book
This classic 40s thriller (from an unlikely source, MGM) is based closely on a novel by James M Cain. Read more
Published 29 days ago by R. Park
Outstanding film
Sparks ignite when drifter Frank (John Garfield) meets bombshell Cora (Lana Turner). There's no denying the attraction between them but she's married, so they begin to think of... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Kona
The best version
I saw this film as a teenager and thought then that the story line was great. Obviously the acting then was quite different from now, but it does not diminish the quality of the... Read more
Published 5 months ago by C. Stuart-monteith
Classic
I first watched this movie a long time ago..i have recently watched it again...A great movie,of which was very well made..and well acted.
Published 12 months ago by maxxxx
Great film, great acting and a great score!!
I know that loads of people have reviewed this great film, but here's my take on it. I bought this film a little while back as over the last couple of years I have really really... Read more
Published 22 months ago by T. S. Hughes
Man Wanted
John Garfield (Frank) drifts into a small town and gets work at a café/diner run by an unlikely husband and wife team, Cecil Kellaway (Nick) and Lana Turner (Cora). Read more
Published on 25 May 2010 by Alex da Silva
Talk about cleft sticks
This tale of adultery and murder makes you guess at the passions involved. Sexuality is hinted (we are in 1946, after all) but the desperation of the lead couple's feelings is... Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2010 by Christopher Vowles
a postman too confused
This film is very famous but I think very irregular and partially failed. I suppose that's because the original novel is very complicate and for me, the movie shows... Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2009 by Carlos Vazquez Quintana
Don't waste your money
I found this film absolute rubbish and the only reason I sat through it was to look at Lana Turner. The worst of the genre by far. Read more
Published on 15 Jun 2009 by MrViewer
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