Review of Kiss Me Deadly (1955) by Devin R — 21 Mar 2010

It plunges into the noir genre in dialogue, atmosphere, odd camera angles and perhaps even the ever present comic aura this artsy vision of film attains as it never backs down from its own concept. One thing is clear however, Aldrich enjoyed making this picture and wrapping every last frame in sneers, lipstick, and right crosses. It has some silly dialogue, a so so mystery, but this film isn't about all that. It's about comic style pulp noir, a love of film, the art of ambiance, and the base fears and hopes of many of our dreams: secrets, fight or flight. On these levels there is success.

Almost every character actor plays it over the top, or comes off rough and different. In other words Aldrich isn't looking for realism or humdrum, but wants to push the envelope into the abstract. Meeker is no Jack Nicholson or Humphrey Bogart, but as a brash detective does well enough. Bending the boundaries of the medium and always thinking to startle and entertain us as it's first order of business, this experience pummels one into the dreamworld.