(Return) This film is one of the most critical and original works in the history of film noir

Reggie 2022-10-07 17:48:47

Reprinted from "Film Noir---History, Criticism and Style"
When "This Gun for Hire" was released in Paris in 1946, it was regarded as a key work in the developing film noir series. One of the three noir films with source significance, "Malta Eagle" brought criminal psychology to film noir, "Shanghai Gesture" created a unique black eroticism, and "This Gun for Hire" created a The new character genre-angelic killer (angelic killer) and the surrealist pursuit of the urban background, the film actually influenced many future movies such as "Lone Killer".
The beginning of the film is highly praised: from a low-angle shot, the protagonist is perfectly seen sitting on the bed, he is loaded with bullets in the grab, he stands up, puts on his coat and hat, and gently feeds a stray cat Some milk, a maid walked in, dressed as if she had just walked off the cover of a vulgar magazine, wearing lipstick, and wearing a low-cut dress. She wanted to blast away the cat, but the protagonist tore her clothes and fanned After she slapped her, Ladd's performance was cold, charming and elegant. His performance was not like any protagonist or contradiction in Hollywood movies of the last decade. He looked like a calm and deadly playboy. "This Gun for Hire" has made Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake the sexiest merchandise in Hollywood. This melancholy blonde stunner looks like an incestuous couple, dark, German-like scenes. These two of them are shining with their Californian-style beauty!

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Extended Reading

This Gun for Hire quotes

  • [referring to Ellen who is bound, gagged and unconscious]

    Tommy: I never even scratched her. We're a cinch. In a couple of hours, the bridge over the reservoir will be deserted. Now look...

    Willard Gates: Don't tell me! I don't what to know anything about it.

    Tommy: This is a work of art. The ropes come off. I tie sash weights to her ankles with soft catgut.

    Willard Gates: Please. That's a horrible word.

    Tommy: Now get the angle on this! She disappears - two weeks, maybe three, then up she pops. None of this stuff on her anymore. No marks - a suicide. Now isn't that beautiful?

    Willard Gates: It's loathsome. Be sure no one sees you.

  • [discussing Raven's fee for murdering the blackmailer, Albert Baker]

    Willard Gates: Direct from the bank as I promised. Oh, I see your point, of course. If the bills were bad, you couldn't very well complain to the police, could you?

    Philip Raven: I'm my own police.