Review of Touch of Evil (1958) by Louise B — 19 Jun 2009
Tremendous film noir. This is the version that was re-edited following Welles' 58-page memo (after the studio dumped him off the picture in post-production). Yes, every page is there for your inspection (in the added features) and it's clear he surely cared about his craft.
Joseph Calleia may be the best actor of the lot. Sometimes it seems as if he single-handedly makes this picture. Great jazz track by a young Henry Mancini. You've got Welles the actor in one of his greatest roles, the porcine, drunken cop who runs everything his way.
It's not a feel good movie, its makes me think of a bad dream, but it is a great movie with tons of great performances. I think the acting is purposely over-the-top. I think its what Welles' wanted to portray, in an effort to create a waking dreamscape.
Who better to choose for unintentional over-acting, than Janet Leigh and Charleton Heston? Touch of Evil is a strange, surreal masterwork and I'd recommend it highly to anyone who is a fan of Film Noir.
This review of Touch of Evil (1958) was written by Louise B on 19 Jun 2009.
Touch of Evil has generally received very positive reviews.
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