Review of Gilda (1946) by Rose K — 07 Apr 2007

Rita Hayworth's a tricky femme fatale to work out. She's like a cross between Marilyn Monroe and Bette Davis- sweet but savvy, and the ultimate man's lady.

This film is classed as a film noir- but I found the label quite problematic. Most especially because George Macready's ruthless villain is a far more appealing character than the hero- as played by the pug-nosed Glen Ford. Conventionally in noir films the hero is pitted against large menacing forces beyond his control (subtle mastermind criminals in this case or an evil dame who can't make up her mind), but nothing in this film is particularly menacing- it's more of a comedy than a noir. There is the conventional love-triangle of course, but this is framed by a comic chorus of social commentaters- Ford's manservant and a very benine and indulgent policeman. And the ratio of witty one liners to sinister truisms definately skews the film more towards comedy. Then there's the ending- the happy ending of a Shakespearian farce where all the bad things go away, not your typical noir ending in which you just know the strapping hero is going to be gobbled up by the hostile world as soon as the camera stops rolling. Great film, great witty repartee, great Rita Hayworth star vehicle just not a noir for me.