“In A Lonely Place” – Nathan’s Movie Challenge, Week 16
“I said I liked it – I didn’t say I wanted to kiss it.”
It’s interesting watching In A Lonely Place directly after seeing Notorious. It served me well as a direct alternative view into a relationship portrayed in a movie.
Where Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman never convinced me they were in love, Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Grahame convinced me almost immediately. It’s an almost intangible difference which can only be attributed to chemistry between two actors. Grahame manages to seduce just with her gaze – both Bogart, and the audience – and impresses with her guile and wit against the intimidating roguishness of Bogart’s character, Dixon Steele.
It’s surprising how metatextual this film is, too, by crafting the lead as a writer. For 1950, it’s very modern in its ability to wink at the audience by way of its plot and dialogue choices. We’re meant as the audience to throw away the typical outcomes (as Bogart does with the novel he’s tasked to adapt) and expect the unexpected.
Early in the film, actress Martha Stewart acts directly into the camera which unnerves and annoys you – which is exactly what her character should be doing. It’s a very clever choice among many throughout the film.
While Bogart’s character has a terrible temper, he plays it as a core of his personality without overacting. His agent even alludes to the fact that this is part of what you get with him – the good and the bad – and it makes for a much more interesting and relatable character. He knows he loses his head too easily, but he just can’t help it. You don’t like him, but you understand him and feel sorry for him. To paraphrase Luke Skywalker: you “see the good in him”.
All of the side characters are pleasantly realized as well – from the worrisome masseuse, to the bossy maid, to the drunk “thespian” who speaks in prose and steals every scene in which he appears. The cops are the “straight men” – but even the newly appointed detective is a well-rounded character by including a backstory and friendship with Bogart from their time in the war, and pairing him with a smart, college-educated wife.
If I could only fault one area of the story, it’s that they never tell the audience how or why the murder took place, but much like the subplot of Notorious, it ultimately doesn’t matter. It’s inconsequential to what we’re supposed to care about (the relationships), and the unnecessary details get thrown out – much like Steele does with the novel.
The script shines, the actors bring life to their characters, and the direction and editing keep the pace swift as we peer through the window into life with Bogart in the best of times, and the worst of times.
In A Lonely Place was at the time of this review at #134 on my Flickchart list of shame (ranked #292 among the best movies of all time). Here’s how it entered my chart:
In A Lonely Place vs. K-PAX
In A Lonely Place. There’s nothing wrong with K-PAX, but it’s a middle-of-the-road film, to be sure.
In A Lonely Place vs. Clueless
For those that haven’t seen it, praising Clueless as both one of the best romance films and one of the best teen films might seem silly. For those that have, you’ll likely understand why. It’ll beat In A Lonely Place.
In A Lonely Place vs. Erin Brockovich
I’m a huge fan of Brockovich. It has humor, drama, romance, high-stakes, and what I believe to be Julia Roberts’s strongest on-screen performance. It beats In A Lonely Place.
In A Lonely Place vs. Splash
I like Splash, but it’s not as tightly crafted as In A Lonely Place.
In A Lonely Place vs. Zombieland
Zombieland wins for breaking molds with its particular brand of horror comedy, a stellar cast, and a brilliant cameo that makes an indelible, lasting impression.
In A Lonely Place vs. God Bless America
It’s cynical to an extreme, but that’s what makes Bobcat Goldthwait’s films as effective as they are. It’ll win over In A Lonley Place.
In A Lonely Place vs. Sliver
Sliver is an unusual Billy Baldwin/Sharon Stone movie from the early 90s that doesn’t quite work, but is super-erotic. It’s not as good a film as In A Lonely Place.
In A Lonely Place vs. Speed
Well, sorry. Speed is second only to a handful of other films for the title of “greatest action film ever made”. It’ll beat In A Lonely Place.
In A Lonely Place vs. Safety Not Guaranteed
Another film about a man who you’re unsure of and his love interest can’t quite pin down… It’s quite good and unique. It’ll win the matchup.
In A Lonely Place vs. American Hustle
While I’m a bigger fan of other David O. Russell films, American Hustle is still a very well-made movie. The characters, costuming, and scene vignettes are incredibly entertaining. It’ll win this battle as well.
In A Lonely Place vs. The Frighteners
Michael J. Fox + Peter Jackson + ghosts. What more do you need in a movie? Not much. The Frighteners wins.
In A Lonely Place is now ranked #601 out of 1400 movies on my Best Movies of All-Time chart.
It’s now my 3rd favorite Film Noir and my 3rd favorite film from 1950.
Last up is Le Cercle Rouge. In the meantime, check out the other films I’ve ranked during the challenge.