Review of I Want to Live! (1958) by Jesse L — 30 Mar 2004

(DVD) (First Viewing, 7th Wise film).

[b]I Want to Live![/b], the occasionally lurid and overdramatic retelling of the trial and execution of Barbara Graham, contains all the emotional thrust I had expected from [b]Monster[/b]. Susan Hayward, in her Academy Award-winning role, is very good despite only playing her character with one note- luckily it's an effective one. This is her film the whole way through- from wild party girl to fallen woman to accused murderer.

Robert Wise keeps everything strictly under control (which is smart considering the regular outbreaks of hysterics) and manages to find places for the occasional flashy directoral flourish, and John Mandel provides an upbeat jazz score that almost becomes ominious in its garishness. [b]I Want to Live![/b] isn't necessarily a great movie, but it hits the target it is aiming for, and imparts a gut-wrenching shock.