Dassin was a really wonderful director - "Rififi" and "Night and the City" are favourites - so I've been looking forward to seeing more of his films; I think this one stands comparison with those greats, partly because of the stunning Oscar winning B&W cinematography - shot on the streets of New York City, in a semi-documentary style, and a great omniscient and sometimes witty narration by producer Mark Hellinger which guides us through one of the "eight million stories" of the city - the police investigation into the murder of a model. A stylish, fascinating and unique film noir.
A brilliant and inspired crime/suspense/noir with documentary flourishes. A week in the life of New York City, as told through the investigation of a single homicide case. Exemplary filmmaking in every respect.
During the intro- it is explained that this was shot on location through out New York rather than in a studio. I wish the intro had been done as a prelude, rather than a continued narration.
Swell guys called Jimmy, scrupleless gangsters, gammy dames, histrionic old bags, and coppers with Irish accents. Not really my kind of movie, but I loved the snapshots of old school NYC. I also enjoyed the creative narration play and guerilla-style street filming.
Exposure of the cruelty of the world, not anymore 'underworld' but on the surface. A white and fragile epidermis which will shortly be tanned during the US dark days facing its ancestral fear of Reds.
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Comments 1 - 10 of 10
SimplyLove101
You really have to admire the style of it. It had such an interesting and lovely direction to it. Dassin and the cast did a nice job with this one.dombrewer
Dassin was a really wonderful director - "Rififi" and "Night and the City" are favourites - so I've been looking forward to seeing more of his films; I think this one stands comparison with those greats, partly because of the stunning Oscar winning B&W cinematography - shot on the streets of New York City, in a semi-documentary style, and a great omniscient and sometimes witty narration by producer Mark Hellinger which guides us through one of the "eight million stories" of the city - the police investigation into the murder of a model. A stylish, fascinating and unique film noir.MrE2Me
A brilliant and inspired crime/suspense/noir with documentary flourishes. A week in the life of New York City, as told through the investigation of a single homicide case. Exemplary filmmaking in every respect.Panunzio
The city of New York steals the show in this one!richjenkins28
Agree with corchap. The narrator won't stop talking and he never really adds anything.corchap
During the intro- it is explained that this was shot on location through out New York rather than in a studio. I wish the intro had been done as a prelude, rather than a continued narration.devilsadvocado
Swell guys called Jimmy, scrupleless gangsters, gammy dames, histrionic old bags, and coppers with Irish accents. Not really my kind of movie, but I loved the snapshots of old school NYC. I also enjoyed the creative narration play and guerilla-style street filming.Flowneppets
Awesome film. They don't make them like this anymore.thefilmstage
Amazing movie.Limbesdautomne
Exposure of the cruelty of the world, not anymore 'underworld' but on the surface. A white and fragile epidermis which will shortly be tanned during the US dark days facing its ancestral fear of Reds.Read more in French on La Saveur des goûts amers.