Story: A drifter falls in love with the wife of a roadside diner and murder ensues. Based on the James Cain bestseller.
Pros Lana Turner, some good plot twists, Leon Amers and Hugh Cronyn.
Cons: No chemistry between Turner and Garfield, Characters, bad story structure. slow pace and mediocre direction.
Another classic film noir that fails to live up to the hype. Postman isn't bad - its just OK. First, Garfield is solid but lacks charisma. His part (Frank) cries for a Mitchum or Lancaster – even a young Bill Holden would’ve been better. Garfield seems more like Lana Turner’s brother than her passionate lover. Turner looks fantastic & is the movie’s prime asset. She’s often back-lit, well-dressed, and her acting is more than adequate. While her character isn't smart, you can understand Garfield's falling for her.
The supporting players are mostly forgettable except for the legal beagles - Hugh Cronyn and Leon Ames. Cronyn shines as the conceited, shady defense attorney while Ames is smooth and convincing as the DA. The trial portion has some excellent plot twists. The story structure is a problem. The last third of the movie refuses to end - it just goes on and on. Various episodes (the blackmail fisticuffs, the Death row conversation, Frank’s Affair) seem pointless. The whole post trial portion could have been told in half the time. Finally, the lead characters -Cora and Frank - are rather stupid and pathetic. No doubt realistic, but not very enjoyable. Summary - Not bad - but with significant flaws. See the movie for Lana Turner. Rating **1/2
Another classic film noir that fails to live up to the hype. Postman isn't bad - its just OK. First, Garfield is solid but lacks charisma. His part (Frank) cries for a Mitchum or Lancaster – even a young Bill Holden would’ve been better. Garfield seems more like Lana Turner’s brother than her passionate lover. Turner looks fantastic & is the movie’s prime asset. She’s often back-lit, well-dressed, and her acting is more than adequate. While her character isn't smart, you can understand Garfield's falling for her.
The supporting players are mostly forgettable except for the legal beagles - Hugh Cronyn and Leon Ames. Cronyn shines as the conceited, shady defense attorney while Ames is smooth and convincing as the DA. The trial portion has some excellent plot twists. The story structure is a problem. The last third of the movie refuses to end - it just goes on and on. Various episodes (the blackmail fisticuffs, the Death row conversation, Frank’s Affair) seem pointless. The whole post trial portion could have been told in half the time. Finally, the lead characters -Cora and Frank - are rather stupid and pathetic. No doubt realistic, but not very enjoyable. Summary - Not bad - but with significant flaws. See the movie for Lana Turner. Rating **1/2
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