This “B” might be a little low considering the classic title, but this is actually one of the dopier, far-fetched film noirs. There are a million noirs I like better, that don’t have such absurd gaps in logic and common sense.
Still, though, there are pleasures to be found – particularly in the two lawyer roles by Leon Ames and Hume Cronyn. One can also find a lot of inspiration for the Coens’ fantastic The Man Who Wasn’t There in this film.
I have a hunch both the original novel and the 80s Rafelson version with Nicholson and a David Mamet script are worth looking into.
