Review of Strangers on a Train (1951) by Ben H — 25 Jul 2010
I have always thought "Strangers on a Train" to be an extremely padded film. While the first 3rd of the picture is near air tight, the last 2/3s are almost a wash. The film manages to bring up interesting concepts of existentialism and violence but abandons them for a clear cut moral in the films conclusion.
It doesn't help that the film careens into the ridiculous with a silly climax and unnecessarily goofy side characters. "Strangers on a Train" feels like a compromise, and being able to watch the even more-so homosexually charged European cut solidifies this.
There are many interesting ideas posed by the story and the first act (namely the violent, child-like state of Bruno), but it's pretty much tossed aside for an audience pleasing ending.
This review of Strangers on a Train (1951) was written by Ben H on 25 Jul 2010.
Strangers on a Train has generally received very positive reviews.
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