Based in Chicago, director John Covert has made several wonderful noirs with local casts that take advantage of numerous parts of the city of Chicago, not to mention its many wonderful actors. Shot in black and white, like Blind Lead, this film is beautifully paced and lit. It makes great use of lighting contrasts and refuses to sentimentalize any of the action, plots or characters. The entire cast performs extremely well, and though the comings and goings are grim and twisted, the humor that results from the hardened bunch that run the operations in NYC and LA is very effective and chilling. The head madame pulls off a demeanor that can only be described as "replicant", and even that would best describe her 'mellow' moments. The male leads are also very well done, whether the character is crazed, confused or practically mute. The american film scene desperately needs intelligent, well acted and finely crafted films like this! Go see a John Covert film!
