Ride The Pink Horse (1947) :
Brief Review -
Most probably, the best work by Robert Montgomery, as a director and actor both. Finally, I have my most favourite film by Robert Montgomery. What's been missing in his other movies, I got everything right here. Much of its credit goes to the genre, I guess. The "film noir" genre has something alcoholic in it that makes you groove, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly. Ride the Pink Horse is one more fine example of it. It starts gripping you in the 15th minute or so and never lets you get out of it. The dark world is really gritty and engrossing. There is no suspense or mystery, yet you are hooked on it and eager to know what's going to happen next. Lucky Gagin arrives in a rural town to blackmail a mobster as retribution for the death of his best friend. The mobster tries to kill him and get what he wants, but Gagin is protected by a cop and a young girl. That's all the plot you have here, and still, there is so much in the screenplay. Montgomery's smart story-telling is responsible for that. He compiles intriguing situations with terrific dialogue and serves you with classy crime noir. The climax of his trip may be predictable, but he added a nice touch of human feeling to the ending scene. It's true; it's very difficult to say "good-bye," even if you are a brave man. You sense a love story, but it can't be. It would have been childish then. So, Montgomery makes it a smart ending with the final goodbye, which becomes somewhat emotional. Robert Montgomery has done a brilliant job as a director and actor. Wanda Hendrix has totally surprised me. That reluctant smile on her face in the ending scene.. I can't forget that easily. Thomas Gomez as Pancho is delightful. Whatever, but this film belongs to Robert Montgomery's genius. The idea of disillusioned soldiers was getting mainstream then, and he used it so smartly. In short, a film noir for those who understand this genre.
RATING - 7.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.
Most probably, the best work by Robert Montgomery, as a director and actor both. Finally, I have my most favourite film by Robert Montgomery. What's been missing in his other movies, I got everything right here. Much of its credit goes to the genre, I guess. The "film noir" genre has something alcoholic in it that makes you groove, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly. Ride the Pink Horse is one more fine example of it. It starts gripping you in the 15th minute or so and never lets you get out of it. The dark world is really gritty and engrossing. There is no suspense or mystery, yet you are hooked on it and eager to know what's going to happen next. Lucky Gagin arrives in a rural town to blackmail a mobster as retribution for the death of his best friend. The mobster tries to kill him and get what he wants, but Gagin is protected by a cop and a young girl. That's all the plot you have here, and still, there is so much in the screenplay. Montgomery's smart story-telling is responsible for that. He compiles intriguing situations with terrific dialogue and serves you with classy crime noir. The climax of his trip may be predictable, but he added a nice touch of human feeling to the ending scene. It's true; it's very difficult to say "good-bye," even if you are a brave man. You sense a love story, but it can't be. It would have been childish then. So, Montgomery makes it a smart ending with the final goodbye, which becomes somewhat emotional. Robert Montgomery has done a brilliant job as a director and actor. Wanda Hendrix has totally surprised me. That reluctant smile on her face in the ending scene.. I can't forget that easily. Thomas Gomez as Pancho is delightful. Whatever, but this film belongs to Robert Montgomery's genius. The idea of disillusioned soldiers was getting mainstream then, and he used it so smartly. In short, a film noir for those who understand this genre.
RATING - 7.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.