Out of the Past
The gold standard of film noir, this film has it all. Recently gone straight gumshoe Jeff Bailey (Robert Mitchum) explains to his girl all about his sordid past which has caught up with him. Ultra bad guy Whit Sterling, played by Kirk Douglas in what may be his best role ever, is a perfect balance of schmoozy gladhanding, barely contained rage, and unmistakable menace hires Bailey to find his moll, Kathie (Jane Greer) who has run out on him, taking 40G’s with her. He finds her in Mexico where he falls in love and after they both decide to double cross Whit, Bailey is double double crossed by the dame and goes back to Whit to double double double cross her back again. But she comes back to double double double double cross him and frame him for murder but he’s too quick for her. Almost.
A fantastic story with many twists and turns. Expertly done. And, it’s the only time I can recall ever seeing Robert Mitchum smile. And not only that, he laughs!
Rating: A; would watch again.
