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While I'm not sure that this failed at the box office (considering its star power), this is an intriguing film that had the right elements, but for two different films, not one. With the starry presence of the still gorgeous Rita Hayworth (still "zippy" at 40 to paraphrase her song from the same year's "Pal Joey"), macho Robert Mitchum (quietly brooding as always) and the feisty Jack Lennon, this also features some very good supporting performances, particularly Edric Connor as the Trinidad native who is crew member aboard Mitchum and Lemmon's tugboat. He's a quiet man if integrity who may be involved in some shady goings on but has a loyalty to his friends that both Mitchum and Lemmon could certainly learn something about.
The trouble starts when they agree to allow the troubled Rita Hayworth to board their boat to go to another island, creating a romantic conflict between the two that will result in them parting ways and becoming enemies. When Lemmon finds himself in a precarious predicament with his life at stake (in a most horrific situation), Hayworth and Mitchum must return to attempt to atone and help rescue him.
The real highlights of this film are the scenery and the dancing sequences, a limbo number at the beginning quite enjoyable and later a dance sequence with Haworth where she really lets loose. However, her character is obviously dead inside in spite of her beauty and the occasional life that comes out of her. A funny moment between Mitchum and a masher making a pass at Rita has a great twist. Bernard Lee and Herbert Lom also offer solid support in the second half, which is so different from the light-hearted but serious first half that it almost seems like a different film all together. Still, I was engrossed, just confused by the decisions that the writer made.
score 5/10
mark.waltz 16 January 2021
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw6488274/ |
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28-1-2021 18:07:18