Saw 'Flamingo Road' for two main reasons. One was for Michael Curtiz, an immense talent who directed many good to brilliant films ('Casablanca' being his crowning achievement). The other main reason was the cast. Have for a while admired Joan Crawford, who gave it everything in every film regardless of the material (though am not a great fan of her twilight years work). Was interested in seeing Zachary Scott in a non-villain role and also seeing Sydney Greenstreet as a pure evil character.
While 'Flamingo Road' is not a great film and has its flaws, there are many things that it does very well and it is very entertaining. The story execution is uneven and Max Steiner did work that was a lot better than what he gave here, but the direction and the general quality of the production values and acting more than makes up for those things. Fans of Curtiz, Crawford and Greenstreet shouldn't miss it, even it is for curio and completest sake.
'Flamingo Road' looks pretty immaculate, the photography and lighting having a lot of atmosphere that is almost noir-ish. Curtiz shows a complete command and ease of the material, and directs tightly and assuredly. The script always intrigues and is often sharp and even witty. The story is not perfect but it more often than not entertains and has some nice suspense and intrigue, the chemistry between Crawford and Greenstreet blisters. Particularly in a major confrontation.
Crawford gives a fully committed performance that grips one from the get go and never stops doing so. David Brian is very good and brings dimension to a role that sounds thankless on paper, while Greenstreet is one sinister antagonist.
Did find Scott a bit bland though and his character somewhat colourless, maybe it is just me being more used to him in villainous and mysterious roles. Steiner is not at his best either, his score is far too melodramatic for the material, even for a story that can get over the top, and it just felt intrusive.
Although the story engrosses and intrigues, it can get very far-fetched and over-stuffed. Some of the final act felt rushed.
Summing up, enjoyable film but not a great one. 7/10
While 'Flamingo Road' is not a great film and has its flaws, there are many things that it does very well and it is very entertaining. The story execution is uneven and Max Steiner did work that was a lot better than what he gave here, but the direction and the general quality of the production values and acting more than makes up for those things. Fans of Curtiz, Crawford and Greenstreet shouldn't miss it, even it is for curio and completest sake.
'Flamingo Road' looks pretty immaculate, the photography and lighting having a lot of atmosphere that is almost noir-ish. Curtiz shows a complete command and ease of the material, and directs tightly and assuredly. The script always intrigues and is often sharp and even witty. The story is not perfect but it more often than not entertains and has some nice suspense and intrigue, the chemistry between Crawford and Greenstreet blisters. Particularly in a major confrontation.
Crawford gives a fully committed performance that grips one from the get go and never stops doing so. David Brian is very good and brings dimension to a role that sounds thankless on paper, while Greenstreet is one sinister antagonist.
Did find Scott a bit bland though and his character somewhat colourless, maybe it is just me being more used to him in villainous and mysterious roles. Steiner is not at his best either, his score is far too melodramatic for the material, even for a story that can get over the top, and it just felt intrusive.
Although the story engrosses and intrigues, it can get very far-fetched and over-stuffed. Some of the final act felt rushed.
Summing up, enjoyable film but not a great one. 7/10