One of my favorite main characters in film noir. He's so cool and no one can seem to put him on his back foot. He just goes around foiling people's plans and smoking cigarettes. The version I watched was also sharp and looked absolutely beautiful. The boy whe knew sign language was such a cool story touch, and the rod! Great cast.
I did not anticipate liking this movie as much as I did. I feel like it's not super common for a movie to directly engage with a contemporary social issue in as interesting a way as The Drama does with its covert subject. You can include contemporary things in a movie but the way this is built in to the plot, the cut backs, the inter cutting of young Zendaya, there's so much creativity going in to exploring the topic…
Humanity and civilization is worth nothing without conscience. Our thoughts and judgements need examination before they are acted on. Aside from 12 Angry Men, no movie has so succinctly told that tale. The slow left to right shot of the posse (those that want to hang the men) after it shows those that want to stop and have a fair trial, was powerful, you count face after face. Their stony faces seemed to say, "We don't like them, we don't care for words,". Fantastic little movie.
I mean, not only do the comedic scenes just absolutely kill (like when they drug Malone and rip off his pants), but the songs are amazing, the chemistry between Russell and Monroe is magnetic. It's simply a beautiful riot, shot in rainbow bridge technicolor and with a very fun script. Who doesn't love a screwball court room scene?! Absolute raging success of a movie in my book. Also Jane Russell 😍...
