Review of Thieves' Highway (1949) by Micah M — 01 Mar 2009

I picked this up during the great "random 50% to 60% off Criterion Sale" of aught-eight, based mainly on the one sentence synopsis. It is far above and beyond my expectations, particularly given the era in which it was made.

The first few minutes had me worried that I was in for a staid period piece, but then the big reveal in the kitchen turns everything on its head. Richard Conte and Lee Cobb's performances are fantastic, but Valentina Cortese is stunning, and her scenes with Conte ooze with a sensuality and electricity that is rarely seen on screen, and is amazing for a film made in 1949.