Review of Criss Cross (1949) by Evan K — 14 Jan 2011

This one is sortof like 'The Killers' except it improves on it in one aspect - the love story. That film lacked the intense passion we usually see in noirs so this one more or less makes up for it.

Lancaster's character is clearly obsessed with his ex-wife and we see him ruin his life over it. Typical noir, we got a narration, we got fatalism, we got the moody lighting, a heist..so I guess this one is like noir's greatest hits.

Pretty much whatever one loves about noir-this film has. Still, I found some parts of the film surprising. It wasn't all predictable and Lancaster is very good in this. I didn't feel sorry for him, his character is an idiot :P though I'd like to say I'm always fascinated by how in film noir-these character always talk about being pulled towards something or how it's their fate and they have no control or how they know they shouldn't be doing what they are doing but can't stop themselves.

They KNOW it won't end well but they give in and just let it happen. That's what I find so fascinating about film noir. Anyways, my favorite scene is one that's quite suspenseful...when Lancaster is in his hospital bed and is pretty much just waiting to be murdered.

Excellent scene, beautifully photographed. Overall...great noir!