Review of Born to Kill (1947) by Matthew D — 27 Jun 2008

For 1947 film-making, "Born to Kill" is *VERY* racy. A chance meeting between socialite cum Reno show girl Helen Brent [Clare Trevor] and social deviant/aberrant Sam Wild [Lawrence Tierney] slowly sends the pair -- along with anyone associated with them -- down the path towards homicide, self-depravity, and sadomasochism.

Case in point: witness the climactic love scene between Trevor and Tierney in which Tierney vividly describes how he killed two people to excite Trevor's passions -- as she excitedly submits. Though tame by present standards, this is still hot stuff, considering it was made within the constraints of post-WWII and pre-HUAC cinema.

Lawrence Tierney is perfect as the appropriately-named Sam Wild, and Clare Trevor is, as always, her sexy and seductive self. But, there are some glaring problems that keep the film from being called a true classic.

For starters, Philip Terry does a horrific job in his supporting performance as Trevor's fiance. There are, literally, several scenes with Terry in which Claire Trevor must carry the intensity of the scene by herself because she is not getting any help from Terry.

Furthermore, Director Robert Wise -- though adventurous in making such a movie -- still plays it safe with the subject matter: he is, obviously, testing the deep-end of the pool but you get the sense that Wise is always keeping one foot firmly planted on solid ground.

Still, Trevor and Tierney's performances, alone, makes this film a must see for film noir fans.