A powerful, absorbing, hard-boiled mystery story based on a fantastic novel by Ernest Hemingway. While it perfectly places itself in the war-thriller genre, it's also to fun to watch, because of the beautiful figure of Lauren Bacall. A suspenseful story about a strong, arrogant, and even self-centered owner of a chart boat - Harry Morgan - who runs contraband between French grounds (Devil's Island sounds about right), and is ultimately drawn in a politically-filled intrigue that may be as dangerous to him as it may be profitable. While he shows himself as a very stubborn man, he ultimately realizes that by helping the French resistance smuggle one of their operators, he may gain respect. In the meantime, he develops a romance with Mrs. Bacall character (and who wouldn't), who shows her singing talent in one of the most memorable, climatic scenes in the movie, which serves as a fine interlude to the thrilling plot. Apart from Bogart and Bacall's marvelous performance, there is also one person who needs to be mentioned for his great role - Walter Brennan, as the drunken, yet adorable friend to Harry Morgan. Howard Hawks created yet another deeply satisfying and refreshing adventure/noir movie.
Review of To Have and Have Not
