Review of In a Lonely Place (1950) by Mjs M — 26 Aug 2009

This is a film that wasn?t very famous when it came out, but its reputation has been growing in recent years, it?s a cult film of sort (which isn?t to say its some kind of weird radical work). This is a late entry to the film noir genre, and perhaps one of the best.

I tend to like noir best when it differs slightly from the conventions of pulp crime stories, so this is right up my alley. Humphrey Bogart is doing some of his best work here; he?s playing a dark and unstable character, something of an aberration for the time.

At the same time there?s a twisted little love story carrying the whole thing. I?m not quite ready to call it a bonafide classic, but it?s a pretty solid effort.