As for police films of its era it's rather unique, and I think well-done overall.
Here's my breakdown:
STORY: Roughly the first half hour feels like a typical cops n robbers flick,then it takes quite a turn. Yeah, it's a turn.
While the story isn't moving per se, it becomes a reflective story. You may even see some of yourself in it.
Not much for sub-plots, so it tends to grind, but overall it's quite nice.
ACTING: Solid to excellent acting all around, and can't complain about anyone in particular. Ryan is normally not a strong lead, but here I think he's well-picked and delivers the character's emotions very well.
As a side note, I do get tired and frustrated with the way women were (and are) portrayed in film. They're mostly portrayed as either an object of desire or disdain.
TEMPO: Good tempo, though as the story turns it almost takes a separate pace ... which felt a bit off.
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Excellent contrast from city to country life
Side note: Bernard Herrmann was Alfred Hitchcock's go-to man for music, and he delivers here. But ... the score is reminiscent of so many Hitchcock films that it was distracting. Reuse has it's place, but I think it's laziness here.
DIRECTING / WRITING: The fact that Ida Lupino (female lead) also co-directed this with Nicholas Ray is 1) a testament to Ray for sharing glory, and 2) for Lupino to shine as both a female actor and director in 1951. Very, very impressed.
Is it a good film? Yes.
Should you watch this once? Yes.
Rating: 7.5.
Here's my breakdown:
STORY: Roughly the first half hour feels like a typical cops n robbers flick,then it takes quite a turn. Yeah, it's a turn.
While the story isn't moving per se, it becomes a reflective story. You may even see some of yourself in it.
Not much for sub-plots, so it tends to grind, but overall it's quite nice.
ACTING: Solid to excellent acting all around, and can't complain about anyone in particular. Ryan is normally not a strong lead, but here I think he's well-picked and delivers the character's emotions very well.
As a side note, I do get tired and frustrated with the way women were (and are) portrayed in film. They're mostly portrayed as either an object of desire or disdain.
TEMPO: Good tempo, though as the story turns it almost takes a separate pace ... which felt a bit off.
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Excellent contrast from city to country life
Side note: Bernard Herrmann was Alfred Hitchcock's go-to man for music, and he delivers here. But ... the score is reminiscent of so many Hitchcock films that it was distracting. Reuse has it's place, but I think it's laziness here.
DIRECTING / WRITING: The fact that Ida Lupino (female lead) also co-directed this with Nicholas Ray is 1) a testament to Ray for sharing glory, and 2) for Lupino to shine as both a female actor and director in 1951. Very, very impressed.
Is it a good film? Yes.
Should you watch this once? Yes.
Rating: 7.5.