Great actors, but the film lacks identity. The film's musical score completely decimated any semblance of drama or relevance. The same six notes played on a trumpet over and over again, resembling contemporary music of the time from "The Dating Game" or "Love, American Style" was out of place and in your face. Thus, when a man gets shot in the chest at point blank range with a rifle, there is no shock value. Nobody really cares when a beautiful woman's clothes are ripped off by a rioting prison mob and she is obviously raped - it's all light - hearted, you see. Douglas's compelling performance is wasted. Imagine any great drama plagued by recurring, obnoxious music and you have a mess. Imagine a great speech by Lincoln or JFK punctuated by comical music - it means nothing. Pathetic.
Review of There Was a Crooked Man...
