Samuel-Shovel
D.O.A. starts with one of the coolest shots and concepts ever put to film. There's the long, foreboding walk to our destination as we follow behind our yet to be named protagonist. Not until we arrive do we discover that our endpoint is the Homicide Division. And why are we here? A man has come to report a murder. Whose? His own. How cool is that?!This beginning sequence is famous for a reason: it is simply outstanding. Unfortunately, the rest of the movie cannot live up to this fantastic introduction. The movie quickly gets bogged down in a muddled and confusing plot. I just finished the movie and I'm not sure if I could succinctly explain the overarching plot or the motivations of all the characters we meet. The movie, told in the perspective of a flashback, spends far too much time in the buildup to the actual poisoning, dissolving much of the tension and suspense built up by the initial scene. This is further compounded by this B-plot involving Frank and his secretary Paula who also seem to be lovers with a future marriage in the works. By the time Frank is finally poisoned, the movie has lost a lot of momentum.There are a few good other scenes and moments after the initial one. There's a few good noir-style one liners and I really did enjoy the scene in the raucous jazz bar. Finally when the plot and excitement begins to pick back up again, it almost goes too fast, making up for lost time. Frank is running all over San Francisco and L.A. accusing characters of who knows what. While exciting, it definitely leaves the viewer confused as they try to pick up the pieces as to what exactly is going on. The action scenes are particularly memorable and neither are any of the performances (although one henchman reminded me a lot of Gary Busey).This will probably be one I'll have to revisit, picking up more of the plot each time I rewatch. For now though, I can't say it's as spectacular a film noir as everyone makes it out to be.
Rainey Dawn
This one plays out like a science fiction mystery-thriller with it's "luminous poisoning" idea. Seems they could have found real poisoning idea for this film - like he's being poisoned slowly over time and goes to the doctor because he's getting sicker or something. This film's fictional poison and it's cure are a silly idea for a realistic crime-mystery. I can easily buy into this idea for sci-fi but not for a supposedly realistic crime-drama. I also think the idea of a fictional cure is worse than the idea of a fictitious poison - I guess they wanted an "all's well that ends well" finale that didn't pan out for our lead. The film has it's good points: it's interesting watching this poor guy uncover who poisoned him and why. But that's about it. The film is not as good as it's made out to be in my opinion but worth a watch.5/10
gavin6942
Frank Bigelow (Edmond O'Brien), told he has been poisoned and has only a few days to live, tries to find out who killed him and why.The New York Times, in its May 1950 review, described it as a "fairly obvious and plodding recital, involving crime, passion, stolen iridium, gangland beatings and one man's innocent bewilderment upon being caught up in a web of circumstance that marks him for death". O'Brien's performance had a "good deal of drive", while Britton adds a "pleasant touch of blonde attractiveness".I do not know if it is "obvious", but i hardly found the film "plodding". This has to be one of the better film noir stories out there, and certainly among the best of its time. It should not be surprising that the film is preserved by the Library of Congress. This seems like a story that would be very influential. (Strangely, of all things, it reminds me of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit".)
GeoPierpont
Talk about breathless! I had great trouble imagining a hung out to dry, tired middle-aged man become super human after ingesting poison, albeit 12 hours ago! This gent flys through airports, turnstiles and crowded streets like nobody's business. He is desperate for answers but refuses to tell anyone why, why? Most likely to frustrate and annoy the audience and admittedly with great success.They sure do know how to dress and singly identify the bad guy with the hip houndstooth scarf and matching hat, what a stylish combination! And lest we forget the 'knife in the belly' lover evil henchman whose bug eyes were prominent scene stealers during the entire joy ride. This type of schtick was the underbelly of the script and truly laughable. The kazoo sound effect to appreciate the conference female clientele says it all.Every time that syrupy sweet girlfriend attempts to flash her independence, there she is smothering him to no avail. The only person who seemed rationale was the police officer who made the final declaration of D.O.A. and for all that matters a designation for this script!Moderate recommend for directing the peripatetic poisoned prisoner. Look for the documentary "Poisoned by Polonium" for a more accurate portrayal of film noir and censorship.
AD
