I felt that film noir itch crawling back, finding its way back into the back of my head, constantly making noise and demanding that I return to it with full attention. That familiar black-and-white, boxed aspect ratio style. Cameras on tripods with little movement. Poor audio quality from an era long gone as women's screams peak the microphone. Simple narratives on justice, deceit and greed. Part of me clinged to the idea that I could instead watch some of The Twilight Zone, of which a separate itch appeared, begging to be given attention also. I know that tomorrow I will be happy to give it that attention. Though today I focused on a relatively short film, one from 1944 and with the simple name of Laura. This film had been kept in a watchlist of mine for almost a year now. As other films came and went before it. For some reason, I put Laura aside, seeing it every so often but just never giving it a chance. Almost convinced that it wouldn't be worthy of the time.
To put it frankly, Laura didn't have any big surprises to it like much of the other films from the era I have seen. Not a while lot really stood out with it, in terms of both directing and story. It seemed like your typical crime investigation story, trying to throw in some twists and pull you along for a ride, but with a lot of simplicity that doesn't quite have any implications to it to have you feel like you're part of any ride. Not to say that Laura was bad 85 certainly wasn't. Just to say that instead, Laura was a film that came and went and will likely be forgotten in a few days. With very little to remember. Perhaps I'm at fault, but it appears Laura is a film of great praise, both gaining ensured preservation and having won numerous awards. Not to forget the good words given to it by critics throughout the decades following its release. To me, Laura is your average mystery story. Just perhaps without a little bit of the soul you usually expect from the genre.
Laura opens up with a pretty typical introduction: a murder having supposedly taken place. A detective tasked with investigating the murder, and slowly coming to piece things together by approaching a series of potential culprits. Each of these characters seeming rather suspicious in their own ways. Mostly a result of their differing personalities and backgrounds. This murdered woman coming from a rather high position that of course could place her under threat by those who may have disagreed with her in the past. One thing to note with this introduction to our Investigator, however, it is that our murdered woman appears to have been killed with a shotgun, to the face and having resulted in the victim being featureless. For a mystery film this already throws up a few flags, hailing us down and waving around to show our first hint at what the upcoming story could pursue. And much of these films have scripts aimed at dropping these subtle hints. Both offering some ideas to the audience and leading them down dead routes as the mystery grows stronger.
This narrative really pulls you along as the detective investigates the various figures that were around Laura's life. People of relative importance and others not so much. Generally lingering around these suspects to promote the aforementioned conflicting ideas. Amplifying the mystery as we start to get to piece things together ourselves. I do like when films encourage this, and I do really enjoy when films drop hints while doing so, not making them clear either. The film does a little of this as it goes on. But maybe a bit too much as these characters continue to make appearances without much of the dialogue really improving. I have to admit that I found myself slowly getting a little bit bored of this familiarity, not quite feeling like the suspense was really going anywhere. There didn't feel like much of a high cost or agenda at any moment. Instead just having us following someone around as things didn't really go anywhere.
Despite this, the film does have some interesting directing and cinematography, but it felt a bit sparse and mostly lacking in any creativity to amplify the tension or story. At one point we follow a man in snow, the camera zooming up close to them quite quickly, I really enjoyed this moment. It felt like it was genuinely creative and unique to the film, adding to the character we were observing and following around, as they themselves followed another around. Though from here the directing and cinematography doesn't really do much else. It fails to really impress again, mostly sticking to typical perspectives and movements. Fixed in the room, perhaps a slow dolly or tracking shot. It felt as if there were budget issues or cuts in the script that made the film change quite a bit. I do think it could have done more, and definitely could have made the tension a bit higher through directing that was more aware of itself.
The same can be said for its characters which are cycled around quite often. But there doesn't feel like much growth to them as the film drags on. Keep in mind that this film has a very short runtime, but still seemed to be a bit long. These weaknesses definitely don't mean the fin was bad, not that I didn't enjoy it, but that it had potential elsewhere that just didn't get utilised in any manner. And by the time the conclusion does start to come around, the film doesn't have much time left. And the weight is still not really felt, it doesn't feel like there were any big dangers, or that the characters posed any real threat to anyone. Something a bit disappointing given how much time it focuses around them. Ultimately to not really go anywhere. Perhaps. I'm missing the point there, but I do think it could've been handled with some more drama and emotion involved. Instead it felt too theatrical.
Can I still recommend the film? Sure. It's a noir classic and has sold strengths to it. It isn't a bad film, but just a bit late to the game of noir where many others have attempted if before, and perhaps arguably better.
This movie is one of classics my dad bought on video tape version which is still kept neatly back at home with the video player still functioning😅. My dad bought two of noir classic then, Laura and Phantom Lady (1944) but he prefers Phantom Lady more but for me I love both but with cinematography and arrangement, Lady phantom bags the applause. All the flaws you talked about are correct and I agree with you. Reason why my dad watched it once and didn't again. Phantom Lady gives you what you looking for, though it's storyline is different from Laura but it's worth checking out. I hope you enjoy when you see it.
This review is amazing and nostalgic to me. I feel like going home for a visit ☺️. Thank you for sharing!
This type of film and its storyline — murder, the detective, suspects — requires that it keeps its audience engaged for the most of it; and so the energy and cinematography have to tally.
If the only intruiging aspect of the film is just that shot with the man in the snow, and the camera following up, then surely the majority of the film may very well be somewhat unentertaining.
However, the film is almost a century old, right? I feel as though I may look away from certain shortcomings as films in those days were very much lacking equipment as we have now. But then, there were films that did much better in that time.
Do you have more noir films this old that you want to watch?