Review of Key Largo (1948) by Devon B — 21 Apr 2009

Frank McCloud walks into a Key Largo hotel and is greeted by a screaming lush named Gaye Dawn (Claire Trevor) and a group of thugs. But it's not the lush or the thugs that McCloud's come to see, it's Mr.

Temple, and his daughter-in-law Nora (Lionel Barrymore and Lauren Becall). McCloud served in the war with Mr. Temple's son, and while passing through the area, has stopped to pay his respects to the family.

Meanwhile, the local police are on a manhunt for some indians who have escaped from the local jail (even though they're only serving a 30 day sentence). By the time the thugs reveal themselves to be the gang of exiled mob boss Johnny Rocco, and ready to hold the hotel hostage, it's time for the hurricane to hit and all hell to break loose.

Key Largo is packed with intensity, both manmade and that made by mother nature. Lauren Becall plays Nora like a wounded bird, wanting to believe in the good of man but willing to scratch the eyes out of any evil-doer that threatens her.

She absolutely worships strength in her men. Bogart's McCloud is a survivor, but it's a constant struggle to follow his mind and not his heart. There's a moment when he's branded a coward by the room, and while his words say he'd rather be a live coward than a dead hero, his eyes tell the story of a man who'd like nothing better than to prove everyone wrong.

And that's really where the bulk of this movie's strength lies, in performances and the use of non-verbal communication to tell a story far more subtle than the surface suggests. That sublety doesn't extend to Edward G.

Robinson's performance, however, as he chews the scenery in his role as the charmingly ruthless and vicious mob boss. In one scene, he tortures Gaye, an old flame of his, with memories of a singing career she once had before booze took over her life and ruined her voice.

He offers her a drink in exchange for a song, gently chiding her into singing although she is clearly tortured by the prospect. As she sings, the camera pans around around the room to the faces of the uncomfortable audience being held captive by Rocco.

After the ackward performance, Rocco disgustedly denies her a drink, considering her like some lowly animal. It's quite a scene and quite a good movie. In fact, I'd say it was nearly flawless.