I Walk Alone
Posted by martinteller on November 20, 2010
Frankie Madison finishes up a 14 year stint on a murder rap from his bootlegging days. When he catches up to his old partner, he finds the world has taken a turn which leaves him high and dry. Although rather slow to get started, this is a fine drama (on the outskirts of film noir, but it’s close enough to count) bolstered by dynamite performances. Lizabeth Scott is an actress I run hot (Strange Love of Martha Ivers) and cold (Dark City) on, but here she’s very compelling. Wendell Corey is a favorite of mine, this time playing it a lot schlubbier (if that’s not a word, it should be) than his usual sardonic self, but he pulls it off smoothly. And Kirk Douglas does slimy and manipulative like no one else. But the real powerhouse of this show is Burt Lancaster, who plays the bitter lead with a lot of grit and a little pathos. You just can’t help rooting for him. Like I said, though, the pacing is sluggish. I wasn’t surprised to see this was based on a play, most of the film is spent hanging around the same 2 or 3 sets. Still, it’s time well spent exploring these characters, whose various interrelations make for very interesting drama and intriguing commentary on changing times. Nice music, but Scott’s singing leaves something to be desired. Fine lighting and some good use of camera angles to crowd people in the frame. Rating: 8
