Cornered (1945) is a film noir starring Dick Powell and directed by Edward Dmytryk, produced by Adrian Scott. This is the second teaming of Powell and Dmytryk (after Murder, My Sweet).[1]
Many scenes shot by cinematographer Harry J. Wild and Dmytryk stand out as classic film noir. The screenplay was written by John Paxton with uncredited help from Ben Hecht.
Plot
Ex-P.O.W. Canadian flyer Laurence Gerard (Powell) returns to France to discover who ordered the killing of a group of Resistance fighters that included his bride of only 20 days. He identifies Vichy collaborator Marcel Jarnac, who is reported as dead himself - killed in a fire. Gerard searches through the rubble and finds the front page of a dossier about Jarnac. Because of the date handwritten on it, he's convinced that Jarnac is still alive. Gerard follows the trail to Argentina where the convoluted tale becomes slightly clearer.
Cast
Background
The film had four people associated with the film who would later be blacklisted in the 1950s: Edward Dmytryk, Adrian Scott, Morris Carnovsky, and Luther Adler. The political argument against Fascism, which reflected the idealistic political views of the four blacklisted film people, is an important part of the film.[2]
Critical reception
Film critic Bosley Crowther lauded the film and the acting, writing, "Cornered is a drama of smoldering vengeance and political scheming which builds purposefully and with graduating tension to a violent climax, a committing of murder that is as thrilling and brutal as any you are likely to encounter in a month of movie-going. The story, which wanders through England, France and Switzerland, eventually centers in Buenos Aires, where apparently all Europe's escaped Fascists are quietly plotting a return to power. Although the narrative is a bit too obviously contrived. Edward Dmytryk, the director, has squeezed every ounce of suspense and excitement out of the material at hand. All of the players are in there pitching with great zest, and Walter Slezak is especially noteworthy as the ruthless and unscrupulous gent around whose flabby bulk most of the intrigue is spun. Micheline Cheirel brings a wistful charm to the role of the mysterious lady who poses as the supposedly deceased collaborationist's wife, and lesser roles are well done by Morris Carnovsky, Jack LaRue and Luther Adler. Cornered may not be perfect, but it still is a satisfying entertainment."[3]
In a review of the film, Channel 4 wrote, "Consolidating his transformation from soft tenor to hard-boiled private eye in Dmytryk's Murder My Sweet the year before, Powell is even more dour as a tough, cynical loner in search of the man who killed his French wife during the Second World War...The noir atmosphere is sustained well throughout."[4]
The Classic Film Guide calls the film a mess in their review, "The plot is so confusing, with so many twists and turns, you'll get whiplash trying to keep up, if you're even interested enough to try. Plus, if you've ever read a Robert Ludlum novel (particularly The Rhinemann Exchange), you'll be sorely disappointed in the intelligence (and one dimensional nature) of Powell's character, and the route he takes to enact his revenge."[5]
See also
References
- ^ Cornered at the Internet Movie Database.
- ^ Schwartz, Dennis. Ozus' World Movie Reviews, film review, December 3, 2001. Last accessed: February 25, 2008.
- ^ Crother, Bosley. The New York Times, film review, December 26, 1945. Last accessed: February 25, 2008.
- ^ Channel Four. Film review, 2008. Last accessed: February 25, 2008.
- ^ Classic Film Guide. Film review, 2008. Last accessed: February 25, 2008.
External links
