This film gets off to a very strong start, with a (presumably) IRA-led robbery going bad, and then a couple of surprising moments and tension in the aftermath. I loved the mostly Irish cast which lend a realism to what we see, as well as director Carol Reed's truly fantastic use of light and shadow in the streets, which reminded me of 'The Third Man' from a couple years later. We also slowly get used to the idea that the film is not so much about pro-IRA vs. anti-IRA, but rather, about the limits of human compassion, and whether people will help someone in need if it means danger to themselves, which is a wonderful revelation. I watched a bit spellbound and horrified as the leader (James Mason), almost like a Christ-like figure, is cast out and shunned in his hour of need. There is certainly a statement about humanity here, though I don't know, I would have liked to have seen just a teensy bit of pro-IRA sentiment in the locals. The biggest issue, though, is that the back half loses its momentum and lags, wound up a little too much in some of the supporting cast, and I felt like it was about a half hour too long. The ending seemed a little heavy-handed and not all that imaginative either. It's a shame it didn't live up to its better moments, but it's certainly worth watching.
Review of Odd Man Out
