Review of Touch of Evil (1958) by Sidney S — 19 Oct 2008

One of the finest films I've ever seen from the American 50's, but sadly still behind a few of Welles' other directorial works, for the difference in scope. The cinematography is fantastic, the tension is high, the action is frantic, the great, quotable lines are all there, but the pacing feels much unlike some of Welles' more epic works.

Still a masterpiece of its kind, just one that is very different from what I expected. Seems a bit too "Hollywood-ish" for Welles film most of the time, but its better to think of it as him finally working within the studio system again and making the film very much his own style while still staying within their guidelines.