Review of M (1931) by Matt C — 05 Jun 2010

First off, this is a truly excellent film and entirely deserving of it's large reputation in the film spectrum. This is the first Fritz Lang film I've seen and it's probably an understatement to say I was thoroughly impressed.

However, I didn't love the WHOLE thing. I loved the brilliant second half of the film, the half of the film that's pure cinematic gold. The first half of the film though, felt a bit like a chore to sit through.

I didn't like how it was structured, showing how the numerous people of the city were paranoid. The point could have just as easily been made in a much shorter amount of time. You hardly see the killer and are taken on a wild police goose chase to nowhere several times over.

But at about the scene where Peter Lorre's insane serial killer starts showing up and we follow him on the street, it's entirely gripping and never lets go. And Lorre gives an outstanding performance.

The film felt like it was just a few things away from being the film I'd hail as the perfect horror movie. It felt like it was missing the beginning hook of interest that other horror classics like The Shining and Psycho deliver instantly.

Anyways, as I said, it is an excellent film, and worth the dreadful wait of the story to really generate interest I suppose.