Review of Sweet Smell of Success (1957) by Padraig W — 01 Nov 2007
This is a bleak black look into cruelty and callousness. Mackendrick made The Ladykillers. This is like that but with the fangs loose and eyes locked. It is a tight focussed movie that stares unflinchingly at characters with no redeeming features and shoots straight from the hip.
The dialogue is rich and ripe. The two lead performances are riveting. The cinematography by James Wong Howe is atmospheric. It is impossible to imagine this movie in colour. This is a movie about dark deeds and black souls.
Power. Manipulation. Corruption. Apathy. Cruelty. Violence. Repulsion. I loved it.
This review of Sweet Smell of Success (1957) was written by Padraig W on 01 Nov 2007.
Sweet Smell of Success has generally received very positive reviews.
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