mark.waltz
What could have been an intriguing film noir of a set-up for murder gone wring becomes an overly complex and problematic plot that wraps up faster than it took to set it up. Bodyguard Edmund O'Brien is set up to supposedly kill someone, but it's very apparent that there's more going on than even the audience can see. Ella Raines who works for the calculating Vincent Price (whom O'Brien has been hired to protect), falls in love with O'Brien but there's a plot thickening behind the scenes that makes this confusing and frustrating. Some great symbolic moments add to the noir feeling of the plot line, but it's just all a messy set-up both plot wise and scam wise. William Bendix is a tough detective, with John Abbott as Price's right hand man. There's a sub genre of film noir which tried to be artistic and draw the audience into its own web, but what happens here is that the spider who builds the web ends up tangled as well, making what is caught pointless prey. As usual, Price is riveting, and everybody does their best, aided by a few interesting twists and turns. However, a messy script is the real problem, going too far out of its own way to get properly to its final destination.
bkoganbing
Edmond O'Brien who later starred in such noir classics as 711 Ocean Drive and DOA stars in this film with Vincent Price for Universal. The Web casts O'Brien as a young attorney and Price as a millionaire who is not above outright criminal activity as a way of supporting his lifestyle as we see.Sad to say the film while not bad in and of itself and its conclusion is quite interesting, it starts with one preposterous premise. O'Brien is rather brash and heavy handed and a bit stupid. Just what Price needs to slip into a neat frame. He hires and O'Brien accepts because business isn't too good a job as a bodyguard because an old business associate played by Fritz Leiber is threatening him.Sure enough Lieber shows up at Price's house and O'Brien shoots him to save Price. The police in the person of William Bendix aren't sure, but they can't prove anything. Later on Price commits another murder and this time he frames both O'Brien and his secretary Ella Raines for the crime. Quite The Web that O'Brien and now Raines are in, in this day we call it a jackpot.Granted I've known all kinds of lawyers including some of the stupidest people I've ever met. But I could never swallow a street smart guy like O'Brien being so easily manipulated. It prevents The Web from being a truly great noir film.
TheLittleSongbird
Vincent Price was my main attraction to The Web, and thank goodness I checked it out because it was a very good movie. Edmond O'Brien for my tastes is rather bland and the exterior set for the rendezvous is on the tacky side. Aside from that, The Web is very well made, stylish, atmospheric and sumptuous. The script is taut and exceptionally well-written, the direction is spirited and never lags and while the story is somewhat run-of-the-mill the fact that the film continually makes it interesting and intricate makes you not mind so much. Ella Raines is appropriately smart and elegant, while John Abbott is very creepy and William Bendix is great fun as the crafty police lieutenant who is not as dumb as he looks. But the film belongs to Vincent Price, suave and subtly menacing it is a role that he is perfect for and one that he plays the heck out of. All in all, a very well-done thriller that deserves to be better known. 8/10 Bethany Cox
rollo_tomaso
Ella Raines was one of the best and most under-utilized actresses of the 40's. She was great in Phantom Lady and Tall In The Saddle, and is even better in the Web. And Bendix, O'Brien, and Price all equal her in excellence. But, the writing is the single most above-average thing about this all-but-forgotten little gem. It is exceedingly well[plotted, suspenseful, and surprising without ever seeming the least bit contrived. Mystery fans should track AMC carefully to be sure to catch this one next time around.
AD
