Whirlpool
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Movie Reviews of Whirlpool
Movie Review: No 'Laura' but Still Enjoyable
Summary: 2 Stars
This isn't a great film. Part of the problem lies with the character assigned to Gene Tierney. The character she plays comes across more as distraught and hysterical than anything else. It's hard to imagine that anyone, regardless of how much they loved her, could believe in her. To make matters worse some of the dialogue she delivers is awful. There isn't an actor dead or alive who could make a character like that fully believable. But part of the fault lies with Tierney herself. She spends most of her screen time looking like she's in a trance, even when she's not supposed to be in one. Many of her most emotional moments are overwrought. And there are times when she doesn't seem as involved as she should be. There are some flashes of brilliance but her work here is inconsistent.
The rest of the members of the cast fare better. Richard Conte turns in a fine performance. There's never a moment when his concern or sincerity is in doubt. His character exudes confidence but allows his vulnerability show at the same time. Charles Bickford is in fine form as the cynical and weary cop who can't ignore the improbable regardless of what his training dictates. Both play off of each other and the other characters in the film well. Barbara O'Neil brings style to the role of the woman who tries to warn Tierney about the character played by (Jose) Ferrer. But it's Jose Ferrer who gives the performance that steals the spotlight. In the scenes he shares with (Gene) Tierney he plays off her in such as way as to carry them both. His moments with Richard Conte and Charles Bickford belong to him as well. Their animosity toward him becomes palpable because he passes those feelings directly to the viewer. He ends up as one of those characters that has to be hated even though his performance is loved.
The technical work on the film is strong as well. The cinematography by Arthur C. Miller is excellent. The narrative flow from scene to scene is good. Many of the shots are brilliantly atmospheric. The sets are lavish but uncluttered and done in good taste. And there are none of the fashion blunders that plague the film 'Laura'. The outfits shown in this film are sharp and tasteful. The lighting (as is often the case with the 'Fox noir' films) is often stunning. The restoration and transfer to DVD is exemplary so it looks as good as it can look.
Unfortunately, the Direction, by Otto Preminger, is erratic. His pacing, as usual, is sharp. His placement of characters and props is solid as well. But, he has to share some of the blame for the way (Gene) Tierney's character fails. There were limits to what he could do to shape the character, that's true. It would have taken an extensive re-write to make the character more believable. But he could have pressed for more restraint when the woman was at her most overwrought. He didn't and he should have.
As a film, 'Whirlpool', has a lot going for it. The plot is an intriguing one. The story-line, which was based on a novel by Guy Endore and adapted by Ben Hecht and Andrew Solt, takes some turns that are impossible to be prepared for. It's hard to say whether all the things that take place are medically possible or not but, who cares? That's Hollywood. Viable or not the improbable premise makes for an engaging and unpredictable yarn. Many of the people, both in front of and behind the camera, were among the 'crème de la crème' of the industry at that time. Preminger did know how to pace a story, even a weak one. Gene Tierney never failed to light up a screen, even when she wasn't at her best. And the cast and crew involved in this didn't fail to make this entertaining and good to look at.
It's no 'Laura' but it does look good. And it's fun to watch.
Movie Review: +1/2 -- Poorly scripted, melodramatic psychological thriller
Summary: 2 Stars
Offered as part of Fox's film noir series, this 1949 drama is drawn into the inescapable spiral of noir by its psychoanalytic themes and hypnosis-based plot device. In its visuals, dialog, pacing and mood, however, it rarely delivers on the bleakness, inevitability or hardness of classic noir. The story of a troubled woman controlled by an unethical charlatan has potential, but the script (by Ben Hecht and Andrew Solt) is surprising only in its dullness and ridiculous plotting. The story is developed slowly and much of the dialog is delivered lethargically rather than with actual dramatics. In contrast David Raskin's musical score is overbearing with its flourishes, attempting to create tension where the film itself cannot. Gene Tierney's lead performance is hammy and often overwrought, and though Jose Ferrer's murderous quack rises to a sweat-soaked evilness, he's undone by the script's poorly wrought psychobabble, unbelievable police procedure and illogical plotting. The film's trailer (included as a bonus) proclaims Whirlpool "will hold you spellbound!" But unlike the real Spellbound and other psychological thrillers (such as director Preminger's own Laura), this one needs more therapy. 2-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]Movie Review: This is an excuciatingly dull, BAD movie
Summary: 2 Stars
As a lover of film noir and proud owner of most that are on DVD or VHS, I can say without hesitation that this is one of the very worst ever. The only reason I gave it two stars, instead of one, was because of the fine performers who were saddled with this inane script.
Joe Ferrer's hypnosis of Gene Tierney to allow her to sleep is nothing compared to the yawns brought about by the agonizingly slow pace, lack of action, and interminable pauses between lines. At one point, Gene Tierney swears that she hasn't been lying, and you find yourself wanting to respond: "Of course, you haven't. You haven't said anything of import."
The storyline makes absolutely no sense. Jose Ferrer has set
up the perfect crime so what does he do? He returns to the scene for no apparent reason other than to be captured. He hypnotizes Gene Tierney to steal incriminating evidence and then has her place the items where they will inexorably be discovered.
A complete waste of wonderful performers. Cross this one off the list, and donate the $9.99 to your favorite charity.
Or pourchase "The Dark Corner," a truly memorable Fox noir with an outstanding performance by a breathtakingly gorgeous Lucille Ball.
Movie Review: The Whirlpool was a wash - sub par Fox Noir
Summary: 2 Stars
This to me was lacking, it just wasnt a magical noir like the others Fox has released.
It didn't quick click despite the cast. Gene Tierney had a very bad haircut,and wasn't good in the acting department,Richard Conte didn't seem convincing to me as a psychotherapist and Jose Ferrer had a sleazy role but hypnotizing himself while he was sick so he could commit murder was a stretch for me. It is a murder mystery of sorts, but it is just lacking. It wasn't very noirish either. Gene wasn't very good to look at and the movie wasnt very good to watch. See Laura instead.
Movie Review: A classic 1.
Summary: 1 Stars
Advertised in the 1949 trailer as the next great drama since Gene Tierney's appearance in the movie Laura (1945) it plainly is not. It is an Otto Preminger exploitation attempt on Gene Tierney's and his own directing fame from Laura made 5 years earlier.
The movie has a story deep enough for a 30 minute Hitchcock type murder matinee that bores when stretched to 97 minutes. I am afraid this is another film advertised as Noir that is not. Even with known good actors the program bores. Classic B movie cop scene where she walks into a room and touches a dead body then police jump out of an adjacent room to arrest her though no proof of murder is shown. This is done on what seems to be a low budget film set. None of the sets live up the beauty of the film Laura or any other good film though the movie is sold as a followup to Laura.
An interesting example of showing the climatic scenes without sufficient build. Scary from the prospective of hopeful filmmakers who hope to make great films since "all the elements" seem to be here at least in part but the film is a total bore.
As a person who loves Noir films if I can't be even partially satisfied they have really missed the genre expectations. Unfortunately this film does not reward by giving you something else. I don't believe the positive reviews. They must be people fascinated with Gene Tierney though she can't fix this "party that never happens".