Review of The Lady from Shanghai (1947) by Josh M — 10 Jul 2009

First things first: I'm really tired of my Dish Network movie info giving away the ending of movies. This is the third film I've had spoiled for me by it, and it's getting old. Apart from knowing the ending, though, The Lady from Shanghai is solidly good, but not great; how much of that is due to Welles' usual battles with studios is anybody's guess.

As usual, there's some brilliant camerawork, including a stunning final act set in the midst of a carnival funhouse with what has to be the quintessential example of how to film a scene in a mirror maze.

The plot is pure noir, with double-crosses, morally murky situations, and vicious, cold-hearted characters aplenty, and Welles brings his usual knack for characterization in his writing to bear. It's a fun film, even if the plot is never quite as clear as it thinks it is, and it's another one in the long list of "things I wish I could see the original version of".