The Killers. 1946. Directed by Robert Siodmak.

(7/24/00)

The Killers is a film about betrayal. Burt Lancaster is double-crossed and betrayed by treacherous Ava Gardner. It is also--simply--the story of a man's downfall through a woman. This is a common subject in films of the period. Two examples that come to mind are Laura and Scarlet Street.

It has quite an opening. Two killers come into a diner, looking for their target. They indulge in classic "tough guy" banter. A friend goes to warn their intended victim, played by Burt Lancaster. He knows they are coming for him. He has accepted this as inevitable and doesn't even bother to run away from it. He just quietly waits in his room to be murdered.

It is fascinating and jarring that we don't see the murder. We do see the killers come to the man's room and then suddenly it is over. It seemed to be a very abrupt jump to me.

There is the planning of a robbery in Hackensack which is interesting. Ava Gardner has a great moment at the end. When her husband is shot she keeps pleading with him to say she is innocent and clear her, even though he is already dead. It really leaves a bitter taste.

Overall, I found the film complicated and hard to follow. That might be because I was very tired.