This film exemplifies wonderfully what happens when pretty much everyone is Genre Savvy (and believable!) and a Gambit Pileup happens when everyone only has a part of the story they reveal (mostly) in good pacing (the Info Dump at the end was a bit much). Brigid’s actress was particularly fascinating to watch at work. Wilmer’s Villainous Breakdown was heart-rendering, and made the homophobia make Sam’s character a Jerkass instead of gays being an Acceptable Target. As a matter of fact, other than the slur (one would have to look up), the homophobia is so subtle it’s impossible for a 21st century viewer to notice—even Cairo’s character comes across as a Slimeball rather than effeminate. Also, it was The Forties. Values Dissonance and all.
All in all, a very good film, a huge improvement from Bogart’s other film. It felt like a very satisfying corrective experience.
Genre Savvy vs. Genre Savvy is very entertaining!
This film exemplifies wonderfully what happens when pretty much everyone is Genre Savvy (and believable!) and a Gambit Pileup happens when everyone only has a part of the story they reveal (mostly) in good pacing (the Info Dump at the end was a bit much). Brigid’s actress was particularly fascinating to watch at work. Wilmer’s Villainous Breakdown was heart-rendering, and made the homophobia make Sam’s character a Jerkass instead of gays being an Acceptable Target. As a matter of fact, other than the slur (one would have to look up), the homophobia is so subtle it’s impossible for a 21st century viewer to notice—even Cairo’s character comes across as a Slimeball rather than effeminate. Also, it was The Forties. Values Dissonance and all.
All in all, a very good film, a huge improvement from Bogart’s other film
. It felt like a very satisfying corrective experience.