The Asphalt Jungle (1950), dir. John Huston
is not the first film about the attacks of predatory (the year before was even White Heat with James Cagney), but this is the first film in which a robbery occupies a central place - is the culmination of that changes the lives of most of the main characters. John Huston showed the story from the perspective of gangsters, there is no style detective Philip Marlowe, for the police officers who catch criminals, not by cleverness or intelligence, but due to numerous factors zbiegom. The large role of censorship and the Hays Code then in force meant that the writer had no choice when it comes to the end - all criminals have been captured or killed. So everything in this film is made according to the scheme, known to many subsequent 'Robbery films' ('heist movie').
noir films, however, is not the plot and characters, but the style and atmosphere. A film by John Huston is a very stylish and atmospheric. In addition, it is in this movie so many important characters that viewers, like the heroes of the movie, they feel lost in the 'asphalt jungle', where hard rule, absolute rights and their failure could lead to bloodshed. If the film starred Humphrey Bogart, it would be clear who is the main character, but John Huston cast of little-known here, but the experienced actors, which added realism of the film.
ideally suited to the role of the ruthless but honorable, the killers, the greater surprise when it turns out sensitive person who longs for the days of childhood. Sam Jaffe is entered in the lead in fifth place, which suggests that there has to be a character in a Supporting Role, but the actor played it so well, that seems to be the main hero and remember him the most - it is the role of a former prisoner, who organized the attack, which fall prey to precious jewels. Jean Hagen is a typical gangster girl - it is hard to figure out, but it is difficult also described as a femme fatale, gives the impression that she knew very well what he wants, as if the world understood the men better than men. Known for western John McIntire portrayed a commissioner who wants to catch offenders and will in the world ends, because the skills for this do not have any. Must rely on luck or the fact that the criminals themselves fall into his hands. This is of course possible - like in a real jungle, people sometimes fall into the trap or can not find a way out. Staffing complement James Whitmore in the role of a loyal friend, to whom you can always count on Anthony Caruso as a burglar, who speak well nitroglycerin, Barry Kelley as a corrupt police lieutenant, Marc Lawrence nervous as the intermediary between the gangsters and the wealthy businessmen who however in no way different from the criminals. At the end I left Louis Calhern, who went off in my opinion, the least of the cast. At the forefront is mentioned in the second place, which suggests that it was to be one of the main roles, but this fact can not see - actor fell dully, as if playing a secondary character of which are quickly forgotten. It is the role of the lawyer's dishonest, who is disloyal not only to shareholders but also to his wife. In the role of his mistress appeared Marilyn Monroe - she played in just two scenes, and for such a small role she wrote down pretty well. Strange that Huston only after 11 years returned to work with Monroe (the film Misfits ).
John Naughton in his book Cinema in a nutshell ( Movies ) put this here's the definition of film noir: All smoke cigarettes, instead of curtains in the windows are shutters, women are false and no one thinks about paying bills. It must be a film noir. Easy to identify and even easier to sparodiowania black crime film had a dominant influence on postwar American cinema, and it still sometimes willingly reproduced. Its roots are dark alleys like lighting up cigarettes ognikami. America has become a cynical way veterans returning from the front, becoming the face to face with the reality of the atomic age. This is reflected film noir. Given the fact that the film noir genre is not only poetry, one can say that Asphalt Jungle is a film in a poetic gangster film noir, despite the fact that this definition only partially fits into this production. The film tells the story of thieving honor, friendship, loyalty and betrayal, of alienation, relationships between criminals, and unfulfilled dreams and fight to defeat the top of the convicted. The world is gloomy and depressing here, in the streets and is present spelunkach corruption and violence, people are greedy and power-hungry, and the money won through gambling, illegal deals or 'jumping' on the big money. It is difficult in this world to find someone honest that you can trust implicitly. Ironically, the film's most honest Huston are thieves, and a killer. Film today is not doing any impression, but definitely worth the watch. But that does not get lost in this 'jungle' to have come into this world or the front door should be viewed from the beginning.
In the 30s, after the release of Scarface , gangsters unexpectedly went down in the shade, and at first the plan put forward by the federal agents, detectives and police officers. In the 40 gangsters appeared in the foreground, only occasionally ( High Sierra , Johnny Eager ), and only John Huston presented them as a positive character with whom you can identify with. These heroes are of course many shortcomings, but they are psychologically plausible characters. Huston reminds viewers that the gangster is a man - has a family, friends and dreams. Asphalt Jungle is a well constructed gangster movie with perfectly realized scene of the robbery. It is also a gripping thriller, although at the end of the voltage drops and feel disappointed banal message that Crime does not pay.
film noir Rating:
first Bannion (1953)
second Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
third The Big Sleep (1946) 4th
The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
5th The Maltese Falcon (1941)
0 comments:
Post a Comment