The Reckless Moment (1949)
German Max Ophuls directs this 1940s film noir set in Los Angeles.
When her teenage daughter's disreputable and much older boyfriend is found dead, Lucia (Joan Bennett) using a boat hides the body to protect her family. But when one of the boyfriend's criminal associates, played by the Irish accented James Mason, arrives on the scene to blackmail Lucia, her life begins to quickly unravel.
Short, sharp and to the point. As far as noir cinema goes this is fairly simple viewing and mot in the least bit confusing. Less shadowy rainy streets than most noir cinema, Ophuls Californian locations are terrific as the excellent chain smoking Bennett holds the film together and is in practically every scene whilst Mason's blackmailer is almost quite charming. It's only when Mason's partner Nagel shows up that the film flips from melodrama to outright thriller.
I get the feeling The Reckless Moment because it's less noir cliched than most may well end up quite a memorable film with me.
Needless to say, the Indicator Blu-ray looks spot on.
Last edited by Demdike@Cult Labs; 20th May 2022 at 10:14 PM.
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