Review of The Letter (1940) by Gianni V — 24 Apr 2010

From the very beginning of this movie on you won't take a bite of your popcorn. One of my favorite all time films for its obsession and passion, for its cold bloodedness and for its mystique. And also for its incredibly beautiful cinematography.

I don't mean flowers and colors, because it's black and white, I mean for its secrecy, its hipocracy, the sheer beauty and mystique veiling what's truly ugly, sinister and utterly narcissitic.

I can't say I'd like Bette Davis as a person, but as an actress I can't take my eyes off her. In her large repetoire of films this is one of her best. The story line unfolds with excruciating perfection, the tragedy of her actions is so unnecessary, the consequences of her obsession intractable, dooming.

Exotic, haunting, mesmerizing, and even painful, it's an amazing experience.