Review of Out of the Past (1947) by Michael W — 10 Jan 2008

Jeff Markham wanted to escape his past life. That just wasn't possible. Robert Mitchum is fantastic as the private eye turned gas station owner who gets sucked back into the dark, dirty life he once lived while working for big time mob head Whit Sterling, played by Kirk Douglas. Markham is originally sent out to find and bring back Sterling's love, Kathie. He traces her all the way to Acapulco, yet he falls in love with her himself, a classic film noir plot twist. From there on out we are sent into a brooding plot of backstabbing, frames, and deceit. What really deserves my attention though are the downright perfect noir performances from Mitchum, Douglas, and Jane Greer, the film's femme fatale. Each one precisely captures their character's wanted personality. Mitchum proves to THE noir actor with his role as Markham. Jane Greer is devilish in her role as the girl everyone wants but learns to hate. Kirk Douglas is plain nasty as the big time gambler. Not to be forgotten in all this is the wonderful directing full of great shots that do truly capture the essence of noir and the essence of this film's dark plot. This film is as much about the past as it is the future. The future of many of the characters arises many times throughout this film but a lot of the story is still OUT OF THE PAST.

(yeah you liked that ending bitch).