It's a Film-Noir Entry in the Pivotal Year and Decade-Turn that had an Effect on the Spontaneous, Organic Formation of the Genre.
The Most Noticeable and Most Transformative is the "Move" Toward the "Police-Procedural" and also the Migration to the Suburbs and the Inclusion of Children in the Plot.
Although in this one, the "Move" is South of the Border where the Mexican Way of Life is in Sharp Contrast to the Dangerous, Doom-Laden Streets, Alleys, and High-Rises of Urban America.
It'a Contrast to Striking and Deep and the Film Flounders, Making an Unsuccessful Effort to Steer the Off-Course Plight of the Medical Doctor (James Mason), His Stolen Girl and Loot, back on the Straight-and-Narrow where All is Well.
The 1st and 3rd Acts are Cracker-Jack Film Noir, with Genre Icons Dan Duryea, Jack Elam, and William Conrad are On-Hand to Dish Out the Violence and Snap-Pat that Film-Noir Demands and it is as Good as it Gets.
Too Bad about that 2nd Act where things are Sunny, Hopeful, and Sweet. It's Not Bad On its Own, it does have a Slight Edge and some Highlights but Pales in Comparison to the Dark Goings-On in the Beginning and End.
That are so Good, it Makes the Movie Almost a Must-See. But at the Very Least, it's...
Worth a Watch.
The Most Noticeable and Most Transformative is the "Move" Toward the "Police-Procedural" and also the Migration to the Suburbs and the Inclusion of Children in the Plot.
Although in this one, the "Move" is South of the Border where the Mexican Way of Life is in Sharp Contrast to the Dangerous, Doom-Laden Streets, Alleys, and High-Rises of Urban America.
It'a Contrast to Striking and Deep and the Film Flounders, Making an Unsuccessful Effort to Steer the Off-Course Plight of the Medical Doctor (James Mason), His Stolen Girl and Loot, back on the Straight-and-Narrow where All is Well.
The 1st and 3rd Acts are Cracker-Jack Film Noir, with Genre Icons Dan Duryea, Jack Elam, and William Conrad are On-Hand to Dish Out the Violence and Snap-Pat that Film-Noir Demands and it is as Good as it Gets.
Too Bad about that 2nd Act where things are Sunny, Hopeful, and Sweet. It's Not Bad On its Own, it does have a Slight Edge and some Highlights but Pales in Comparison to the Dark Goings-On in the Beginning and End.
That are so Good, it Makes the Movie Almost a Must-See. But at the Very Least, it's...
Worth a Watch.