John Boorman's highly stylized, metaphysical revenge tale is one of the most interesting and innovative American films of the 60's that like The Graduate and Bonnie and Clyde showed the influence of European filmmakers. Influenced by Antonioni's color symbolism and Resnais' fragmented chronology, Point Blank is a lyrical, multi layered, and truly singular film noir that was the best and most daringly abstract American film released in 1967. Marvin is "Walker" and he is absolutely elemental in his unrelenting quest for $93,000. Angie Dickinson, despite an ugly wardrobe, is as good as she's ever been playing Walker's accomplice and has a memorable scene wearing herself out slapping Marvin to no avail. Boorman's direction is truly spectacular, if occasionally overdone, and he makes stunning use of LA locations. Philip Lathrop's widescreen photography is fairly amazing and Johnny Mandel's dirge-like score is haunting. Like Lolita, The Naked Kiss, Nothing But a Man, Rosemary's Baby, The Night of the Living Dead,and Rachel, Rachel, Point Bank is one of the essential American films of the 60's and it was surely an influence on Mike Hodges' equally bleak Get Carter(71); the title itself is an homage to Carter(Lloyd Bochner) in Point Blank.
Review of Point Blank
