Review of The Killers (1946) by Andy C — 10 Mar 2010
Classic piece of film noir that owes more than a little bit of its style to Citizen Kane, even though the camera work and lighting are pure noir. Opening with an absolutely riveting scene involving two hired killers waiting in a diner for a target who turns out to be very passively awaiting their arrival, The Killers follows an insurance investigator as he meets various friends and acquaintances of the dead man to see how he came to meet his end.
It's all stylish and well-written, and it's no surprise that it launched both Lancaster's and Gardner's careers, as both are absolute knockouts here. Still, for all the double and triple crosses and all the machinations of the plot, there's little here you haven't seen before, and the plot that unfolds isn't ever quite intriguing enough to make the investigator as fascinated as he seems to be.
That being said, so much of noir is all in the execution, and this one is pure style all the way. And seriously, enough good can't be said about that opening sequence.
This review of The Killers (1946) was written by Andy C on 10 Mar 2010.
The Killers has generally received very positive reviews.
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