Cry of the City (1948) I love films that quickly and efficiently introduce characters and drop them right into danger. Cry of the City isn't a quick hit off a pipe. It's that nice, long drag off a cigar. It's a film where a lot is happening, both in terms of story and character development, but nothing is hurried. The end is a climax of character arcs, not action - though there are a couple of exciting standoffs - and with the themes tied together in beautiful bits of drama, at the end I was so excited to be in Noir-vember.
This one's been on my list since my first Noir Marathon. A MartinTeller recommendation, long unavailable to me. I only looked for it occasionally, since I'm not really a fan of co-leads Victor Mature and Richard Conte. Both are at the top of their craft here, and there are a deep well of familiar supporting actors too. The timing of my viewing also benefits from coming after the pseudo-noir Man Hunt. With this film, there is no doubt. Not just in the technicals, like the photography and year of release, but the fatalism that hangs over both characters nice and thick. Both men keep moving forward beyond their bodies' physical limits. The exhaustion just piles on, opening the characters up to musing about where their roads will end. That makes it not right for Noir Beginners, but top of the list when you're ready to go beyond the essentials.
I'm being vague about details because it's not an easy film to summarize. It's also not a difficult film to follow. There's the occasional bad bit player, and sometimes I thought the director (Robert Siodmak) was trying too hard to not be tight. I'm not sure the family bits needed so much screen time, though the final shot of the younger brother is perfect. I'm stuck in the middle of two ratings, but this is one of the best Noirs I've seen, with a terrific final 10-15 minutes.
Rating: * * * 1/4