Review of Killer's Kiss (1955) by Fabrice A — 12 Nov 2007

Who would have thought that Kubrick's first success would also turn out to be one of his very best. Very early on, Kubrick's genius seems to shine through by its unique versatility. Think of a genre, Kubrick embraced it and made one of the best movies ever in that style. Top 10 best science fiction films? Kubrick's one the list. Best period drama? Kubrick. Best horror film? Guess who? From that point, is it really surprising that one of the very best and most memorable in the noir/hard-boiled genre would also be a Kubrick? Not only that, the movie isn't just one among others in that style, it is also incredibly innovative with a revolutionary use of flashbacks as a unique narrative tool.

Kubrick shot, directed and edited his early masterpiece with the same incredible maestria and atention to detail as later movies that are better known of the public. Killer's kiss is simply sumptious through and through, with some of the best and most adventurous photography on celluloid. The flick sucks you in and doesn't let let you go till the bitter end. An absolute must see, not just for kubrick fans but also for any true amateur of noir.