Noir of the past.

Out of the Past.

Film noir is a small genre of films primarily made in the 40’s though some argue that some modern films can be considered noir – I don’t, but that’s for another time.

This film is total Noir and one of the best! Up there with Double Indemnity and Laura.

Robert Mitchum is trying to get away from his past but it catches up with him, and I am glad it did! This film is just amazing from start to finish. It changes format half way through when Mitchum’s narration catches up with him and we get sort of a sequel to the story.

The film has a femme fatale (which is a must for all Noir) and a cool bad guy (played by Kirk Douglas – who is just cool anyway) and we get a love story, betrayal, mystery, suspense, murder and more! You get it all in this movie!

My movie review book that I read from time to time calls this a forgotten masterwork – it truly is. It’s worthy to note that Bogart was supposed to play the role that Mitchum got, which would have made this movie bigger I guess, but it doesn’t matter because Mitchum is just great in it!

5/5

J-Man.