Review of To Have and Have Not (1945) by Nick K — 31 Dec 2010
War-time propaganda film is loosely based on Hemingway')s novel and most notable for being the movie that first brought Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall together. The chemistry between the two is, in fact, obvious and immediate and transforms a rather routine WW2-era melodrama into a captivating experience.
Bacall is unbelievably gorgeous and sexy as hell, equal in poise and pulchritude to any actress of the day, and it's almost impossible to accept she was only 19 at the time. Bogart fits well in this one -- something that can't always be said -- and it's obvious the cast is comfortable working with each other as well as director Howard Hawks.
Only the villains struggle with the material, seeming more buffoonish than threatening, so you never really worry that they'll get the better of anyone. Standard issue musical interlude is forgettable but the heat between Bogie and Bacall is not.
This review of To Have and Have Not (1945) was written by Nick K on 31 Dec 2010.
To Have and Have Not has generally received very positive reviews.
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