Review of Touch of Evil (1958) by Doug C — 05 Mar 2010

What an extraordinary film. Orson Welles, Charlton Heston, and Janet Leigh lead a host of memorable characters in this fast-paced suspense noir about crime and corruption in a Mexican border town. Welles creates an exceptional visual nightmare out of Venice, California, using fluid, often rapid camera motion and a host of long shots that serve as a disorienting juxtaposition to the violence that threatens the central characters, and the heavy use of light and shadow complements the complex comings and goings of numerous characters across the Mexican border.

Wellesâ??s role as detective Hank Quinlan is one of his best performances, and the film as a whole is simply a masterpiece. One of the best examples of the film noir style.