Review of Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) by Ivan D — 07 Sep 2010

What makes "Kind Hearts and Coronets" special among other "scheming murderers" films is its protagonist's unusually rightful motive that may have resulted into a mini mass-murder, but one which only rooted from a simple case of re-obtaining his birthright.

The main character, Louis Mazzini, was portrayed by Dennis Price, a very capable actor that perfectly captured what was left of his d' Ascoyne bloodline's elegance and cool, contrasting the social class which he currently resides; impoverished, desperate, yet focused.

Of course, a review of this film would not even be complete without even hinting on Alec Guinness' legendary performance/s as the eight heirs of the d' Ascoyne dukeship, all on cue on Mazzini's crosshair.

The whole murder scheme was comic gold all on itself that audience's anticipation for the next kill isn't primarily focused on whether or not Mazzini can pull it off, but instead for the simple reason of one's craving for some black laughter.

The latter part of the film is more serious however, as Scotland Yard and the judiciary system interferes with the seemingly perfect crime, but not mainly as a plot device or even a deus ex machina type pay-off for the character, but to provide the great "irony" for the film, a figurative language that even the Ealing Studio boss himself does not have much faith into, but nevertheless delivered what was needed to complete this tale of comic vengeance wrapped in ambition.