Review of I Want to Live! (1958) by Linda T — 24 Nov 2008
A True Story: Susan Hayward won an Academy Award for her performance classic I Want to Live! Hayward plays Barbara Graham, a "good-time girl" with a heart of gold and absolutely no instincts about when to drop a bad association.
After bouncing in and out of the prison system for a series of petty crimes, Graham suddenly finds herself framed for murder and facing the death penalty. Hayward is simply marvelous, giving a wrenching, complex performance without ever becoming maudlin.
Director Robert Wise ratchets the tension up to a nearly unbearable level, making Barbara's moments of hope as agonizing as those of her despair. The film is based on the story of the real-life Barbara Graham, taken from her letters and interviews with reporter Ed Montgomery.
Montgomery himself appears as a character, and the film is surprisingly evenhanded about condemning his own role in Graham's conviction.
This review of I Want to Live! (1958) was written by Linda T on 24 Nov 2008.
I Want to Live! has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
