Review of Operation X

Operation X (1950)
8/10
The relationship between a father and his daughter put on sinister trial
6 May 2022
Edward G. Robinson makes a great tragic role here of a father whose obsession with his daughter gradually drives him out of his mind without himself being aware of it. It's a tragedy of a father's love for his daughter, mind you, it never gets incestuous but the more serious for being so idealistic. He builds his life on her, she is outrageously spoilt and enjoys it, she doesn't mind at all, and you never suspect anything is wrong until you start wondering why he starts speaking of her as another person although she is the one he is speaking to. The drama unfolds by flashbacks, and you will be in for some upsetting surprises, just like Robinson himself. It is an underrated film, Robinson makes one of his unforgettable extremely pathetic characters, and he is totally convincing, remaining unflinchingly the great mogul of finances even at the end of his tether, without realising it's the end. Peggy Cummins as the daughter also makes a great role, although she never dares to defy her father openly, her rebellion is the more definite for being concealed in glasses of champagne. It's a memorable drama for its infinitely tragically human context - any father could happen to this, and Strindberg wrote a great drama of the same situation.
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed