Review of Kiss Me Deadly (1955) by Steven C — 23 Jun 2011

I want to say that "Kiss Me Deadly" is a great example of the film noir sensibilities of the 1950s, but that would be doing the film a disservice. There is so much more going on here than just noir.

What makes the film so indelibly stylish is that it's picking up, ever so slightly, on the emerging French New Wave. The composition of shots and certain edits reflect the ideas that are just starting to come out of France in the late 50s.

There is also the devilish addition of that mysterious glowing box that adds a sort of Hitchockian (also seen in the constant shots of people's feet walking) flavor and plugs right into the Cold War threat of the era.

Needless to say, "Kiss Me Deadly" is endlessly influential. On it's own however, the film is incredibly involving. Mike Hammer's casual sadism and misogyny are invigorating. These things are portrayed in a way that was never seen in a film like this.

Looking back at 'film noir,' "Kiss Me Deadly" solidified these traits and upped the ante. This is an apocalyptic, dangerous, stylish entertainment that seems to have a neverending influence, from "Pulp Fiction" up to as recently as "The Ghost Writer.

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