Review of They Live by Night (1949) by Art S — 01 Sep 2013

Nicholas Ray's first film is about DOOMED LOVE (yes, in all caps). Bowie and Keechie meet in the old gas station when he busts out of jail (been there since he was 16) with a couple of older cons keen to continue robbing banks.

Her dad runs the place but he's a drunk and not very good to her. Farley Granger (with hints of Keanu Reeves) plays Bowie and Cathy O'Donnell plays Keechie. They hit the road to get away from it all (travelling only by night) and to fulfill the portentous intensity of their DOOMED LOVE.

Nick Ray is out of the gates like a shot with this gorgeous and "dilated" film full of giant head close-ups of kids who have to be tough but would rather swoon.