Review of Deep Valley (1947) by Antonius B — 14 Feb 2018

An awkward young woman (Ida Lupino) growing up in an isolated area between estranged parents unexpectedly finds love with a convict who has escaped a coastal road project (Dane Clark). The law is closing in, and to add to the drama, the woman has another suitor in the man who was engineering the effort (Wayne Morris).

It's an atmospheric film noir, one where shadows and darkness emphasize a feeling of being trapped in a world with few choices, but ultimately it falls a bit short. I liked seeing Lupino, but her range is limited, and I don't think this was all that fine a performance from her. It's interesting to consider her as being in a prison of her own, and indeed she identifies with Clark for that reason, but the film gets predictable and melodramatic as it plays out.

My favorite shot from director Jean Negulesco is at dusk, low angle, with the barn and plants in shadow and the mother (Fay Bainter) approaching. My favorite quote was from the mother, as she's adjusting one of her dresses for her daughter, and says, "All you young girls want everything lower in the front, and tighter in the back. What are you so proud of?" Unfortunately, there are just not enough of these moments to strongly recommend the film. It's not awful, but just average.