The movie could be subtitled:"things are not what they seem".When we meet the two principals,we do feel for Al.We do think the cop is a psychotic,or someone trying to find a scapegoat .How could a man so nice ,so honest,who works in a bakery,who's got a wife and kids,who is a believer and who goes to church ,be a cops killer?During the first part,we side with him and we think that Conroy is going off the rails (he might be the killer himself).
With the appearance of Gloria Grahame ,we see things differently.What?An honest faithful man still in love with a shady singer singing a tune called "ace in the hole" ?It's really a U-turn.
The depiction of the characters is nothing but derivative and the three leads are excellent ,with a firm directing ,an atmosphere where they exude hatred from every pore ,and an impressive finale on the roofs.
With the appearance of Gloria Grahame ,we see things differently.What?An honest faithful man still in love with a shady singer singing a tune called "ace in the hole" ?It's really a U-turn.
The depiction of the characters is nothing but derivative and the three leads are excellent ,with a firm directing ,an atmosphere where they exude hatred from every pore ,and an impressive finale on the roofs.