[psycho d]

Out of the Past (1947). Opening in the sleepy town of Bridgeport, the tone seems more appropriate for an episode of The Walton's than a film noir classic, but the shadows are not held back for long. In rolls Paul Valentine, an unctuous character from our hero's past, a city-slickin' smudge quite out of sync in this idyllic town whose industry is trout fishing. The story employs a simple yet wonderful mix of timeline and narration, ploys that oft not work but that are supreme in this director's hands. The story itself keeps the viewer just one notch behind the moment, with perfect twists and turns and never a dull moment. Even more snappy than the story is the dialog, with poetic delivery on all accounts. Robert Mitchum is stellar in this role he was made to play, a witty detective with but one shortcoming, a stupidity expressed in the company of dangerous dames, and Jane Greer's role proved just the chemistry for Mitchum's IQ adjustment. No greater dame noir has better lit up the screen, with her understated performance of ostensible alliance shifts only belied by the slightest of glances. Jacques Touneur's direction is nothing slight of masterful, and this was probably the best work of his career. With the wholesome out-of-doors mingling with the seedy underbelly of city life, the shadowy world of the latter proves too dank a character, leaving its stain on the otherwise pristine countryside. These two worlds make better neighbors than friends. In the end our protag must come to a choice between that which is good and that which he is only good for. No greater ocean could fill this chasm.
Genruk