99 River Street (1953) :
Brief Review -
Packs a solid punch of a film noir outside the ring. 99 River Street is underrated for sure if I have to consider the less recognition it has received over the year. But there is nothing extraordinary about it if someone is trying to make it look like a great film. It's got highs and lows, but certainly it's more than watchable. There is drama, there is thrill, there is love, there is betrayal, there is crime, there is murder mystery, there is some chaos, and a smart one, I must say. So overall, it's a nice script. The only thing about it that's not highly intelligent is its climax. I personally don't really fancy those accidental conflicts or twists in the climax because they take away the liberty of writing something smart from you. The film is about a boxer turned cab driver who is trying to make things up with his gold-digging wife. However, she has found a new man for herself who can give her the jewellery and diamonds she wants. Furious to learn about her affair, the cab driver leaves and gets stuck in one of his best female companions' gags. Even more furious after the gag, he is being followed by police for two crimes that he didn't commit at all. Once a champion boxer, but can he still land his punches right on the opponent? That's all that you get to see in 99 River Street. John Payne is fantastic in his role. A Banger! Evelyn Keyes does even better. She has one of the biggest and finest monologues of all time, and what killer expressions she gave there. I just couldn't take my eyes off her in that scene. One more fine scene was the bar dancing and flirting scene. Again, killer work. Brad Dexter makes a terrific antagonist here, and the supporting cast is superb. Phil Karlson ticks all the boxes of the "film noir" term right. Drama, thrill, gripping noir-he gives you three in one.
RATING - 7/10*
By - #samthebestest.
Packs a solid punch of a film noir outside the ring. 99 River Street is underrated for sure if I have to consider the less recognition it has received over the year. But there is nothing extraordinary about it if someone is trying to make it look like a great film. It's got highs and lows, but certainly it's more than watchable. There is drama, there is thrill, there is love, there is betrayal, there is crime, there is murder mystery, there is some chaos, and a smart one, I must say. So overall, it's a nice script. The only thing about it that's not highly intelligent is its climax. I personally don't really fancy those accidental conflicts or twists in the climax because they take away the liberty of writing something smart from you. The film is about a boxer turned cab driver who is trying to make things up with his gold-digging wife. However, she has found a new man for herself who can give her the jewellery and diamonds she wants. Furious to learn about her affair, the cab driver leaves and gets stuck in one of his best female companions' gags. Even more furious after the gag, he is being followed by police for two crimes that he didn't commit at all. Once a champion boxer, but can he still land his punches right on the opponent? That's all that you get to see in 99 River Street. John Payne is fantastic in his role. A Banger! Evelyn Keyes does even better. She has one of the biggest and finest monologues of all time, and what killer expressions she gave there. I just couldn't take my eyes off her in that scene. One more fine scene was the bar dancing and flirting scene. Again, killer work. Brad Dexter makes a terrific antagonist here, and the supporting cast is superb. Phil Karlson ticks all the boxes of the "film noir" term right. Drama, thrill, gripping noir-he gives you three in one.
RATING - 7/10*
By - #samthebestest.