High Sierra 1941
Criterion released this movie on blu-ray not that long ago. Instead of buying it on disc, I got a digital copy. It is maybe the first movie with Humphrey Bogart as the leading man, coming out in 1941, and a true breakout role because he went on quite a streak after that. It is not a great movie. A lot of the acting is stiff and there are a lot of pieces that don't fit well together. It is mostly a romance, but it is centered on an ex-con (Bogart) trying to do one last job. Then throw in a dog who has a really outsized role, but is pretty amazing, just out of place in kind of a noir movie. The story is fairly simple and drags a while before a big finish. It isn't terrible. Bogart is good, of course, and his character is well developed as this nice guy who can also be ruthless. Fate and the production code of the day make him a tragic character. They used to crank these things out and it shows.
Written: 06 Jan 2025