Nutshell
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May 25, 2020
A better title might be The Sad Stench of Desperation. Was Burt Lancaster ever better
than in this riveting late-fifties noir from director Alexander Mackendrick? That's a tough
question. But it's a no-brainer that Tony Curtis' performance here is top-level craft at its
best (as in The Boston Stangler). The supporting cast also turns in some beautiful work,
notably Susan Harrison and Martin Milner. This uncomfortable story breaks many rules
and comes out the better for it. The jazzy score is perfect, setting the film's nervous tone
and fitting the period like a glove. A totally unique and daring film-noir for the period, and
one of my all time favorites.