|
Directed by: Edgar Ulmer Starring: Tom Neal, Ann Savage Detour is often credited as the first film noir, hinting at a lot of the conventions that would become staples of the genre. The story is pure pulp; a piano player tries to travel to Hollywood to reunite with his girlfriend who’s made it big, but as he hitchhikes across the county, the driver who picked him up suddenly dies, and he finds himself trying to cover it up to save time. He makes the mistake up picking up another hitchhiker, who recognizes the car, and starts to believe he killed the previous owner. From there, they are constantly at odds with one another, engaging in a cautious power struggle. Detour is one of those films that is incredibly bad in most regards, but finds redeeming value in others. The story is thin and uninteresting, the acting is horrible and campy, and though it’s only a brief sixty some minutes, the plot seems to drag on and on. It’s somewhat interesting to see the birth of the film noir genre though, including some early examples of formula techniques like the hard-boiled voice over, chiaroscuro lighting, and a sense of amorality. Most of the filmmaking behind Detour is completely amateurish, but there are a few interesting shots and twists on the medium. The film has developed a cult following over the years, and has been referenced in other films many times over the years. It’s worth watching for film history perspective and for fans of the genre, but don’t expect anything more than a historical curiosity or sub B-grade garbage. RATING: 2.0 PROS: birth of film noir genre CONS: it's really bad ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
|
#
?
May 5, 2004 04:16
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 24, 2024 01:39 |
|