tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post6246374986756720267..comments2024-01-25T07:08:17.130-05:00Comments on 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die: The Asphalt Jungle (1950) **1/2Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-67121939131348188252014-10-26T17:39:29.199-04:002014-10-26T17:39:29.199-04:00This is one of Huston's most interesting and u...This is one of Huston's most interesting and unusual films. He was extremely versatile.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-20601784056634791262014-10-09T03:11:56.272-04:002014-10-09T03:11:56.272-04:00I think you can really see John Huston's hand ...I think you can really see John Huston's hand in this film. The way he makes his characters come alive is just outstanding. In that way there are a few parallels for The Treasure of the Sierra Madre". In somebody else's hands this could have been just another heist movie, but he made it outstanding.<br />TSorensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12208153011927807857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-42500264804182998312014-06-02T13:34:15.858-04:002014-06-02T13:34:15.858-04:00Thanks, Aubyn. I think Hayden is hit or miss for ...Thanks, Aubyn. I think Hayden is hit or miss for many people, while most people agree that Calhern was pretty good in this.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-82121946257285119462014-06-01T21:24:48.578-04:002014-06-01T21:24:48.578-04:00To me Asphalt Jungle along with Rififi and The Kil...To me <i>Asphalt Jungle</i> along with <i>Rififi</i> and <i>The Killing</i> should be required viewing for anyone who ever wants to make a heist film. Smart, cool-headed, and very knowing about human nature. I guess I'm in the minority here for not minding Sterling Hayden. I don't know, I just enjoy his glowering screen presence and I think it works here since he gets to play off Jean Hagen. He's the brooding man withholding himself from the one decent person in his life and she's believably anguished in response. Still, regardless of Hayden, my favorite performance by far is from Louis Calhern. I think this is the movie where I first sat up and noticed him and now I always lean forward a little when I notice his name in the credits. Great review!Aubynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00446079492480611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-33399156154426142972014-05-30T21:56:00.995-04:002014-05-30T21:56:00.995-04:00Thanks, Eve. I think this movie is often forgotte...Thanks, Eve. I think this movie is often forgotten, but then people see it and remember how well made it was.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-13527808519949786702014-05-30T21:55:14.268-04:002014-05-30T21:55:14.268-04:00Thanks, Page. The fact that Huston didn't hav...Thanks, Page. The fact that Huston didn't have a femme fatale or unsympathetic characters was pretty revolutionary in the world of noir.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-58571640664673012642014-05-30T11:31:03.549-04:002014-05-30T11:31:03.549-04:00I haven't seen "The Asphalt Jungle" ...I haven't seen "The Asphalt Jungle" in ages, Kim, and your review refreshed my memory on so many things about it that I'd forgotten (or hadn't considered, for that matter). Great piece - a really thoughtful and balanced look into a crime classic. The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-64894052229849665912014-05-26T14:51:18.132-04:002014-05-26T14:51:18.132-04:00Kim, I'm late as usual but I finally made it.
...Kim, I'm late as usual but I finally made it.<br /><br />I'm always up for a good heist film and Asphalt Jungle holds up well. Of course with Huston and Rosson on board how could it not? You've pointed out all the things that make the film memorable and worthy of award nominations while being fair and honest with it's few flaws.<br /><br />You mention the lack of femme fatales which I didn't even notice even with Monroe in a small role.That's always a good indication, Huston or any director is on point.<br /><br />A great contribution to the Blogathon.<br />I hope you're enjoying your holiday.<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-30674929833127263922014-05-24T21:00:51.291-04:002014-05-24T21:00:51.291-04:00Thanks. I think a lot people I agree that the end...Thanks. I think a lot people I agree that the ending somehow lessens the film's impact.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-31765860253213429852014-05-24T18:29:47.163-04:002014-05-24T18:29:47.163-04:00I agree that Hayden was a weak choice for this fil...I agree that Hayden was a weak choice for this film, but the script (minus the ending), fellow cast members & cinematography more than make up for it. Great choice for the blogathon!Silver Screeningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955048716754142299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-65459590091873029032014-05-24T11:45:12.807-04:002014-05-24T11:45:12.807-04:00Ah, but Rififi had the benefit of watching how a h...Ah, but Rififi had the benefit of watching how a heist film should work from this. I wavered between 2.5 stars and 3 stars, but Hayden and the ending scene, which I don't discuss in my review, just put a damper on what was otherwise a really good film. Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-34882786259433172772014-05-23T20:43:06.506-04:002014-05-23T20:43:06.506-04:00Fabulous review, Kim, of a gripping, stylish, infl...Fabulous review, Kim, of a gripping, stylish, influential film. I'm not a big Sterling Hayden fan, but he's good here (though I agree that Sam Jaffe gives the best performance in the film). Why only **1/2? By the way, the best heist, for my money, is the one from RIFIFI. Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-11669591029153124582014-05-23T19:02:14.158-04:002014-05-23T19:02:14.158-04:00Thanks, Jacqueline. Everything ties together so w...Thanks, Jacqueline. Everything ties together so well in The Asphalt Jungle that the pacing comes off as impeccable. Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-21546465687456838842014-05-23T17:54:05.423-04:002014-05-23T17:54:05.423-04:00I really love this movie. So well plotted and smo...I really love this movie. So well plotted and smooth pacing. "Tight," indeed. Thanks for great contribution to the blogathon.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-62963724270656879752014-05-23T13:12:45.123-04:002014-05-23T13:12:45.123-04:00Thanks, FC. It is a smart film--not much fluff, j...Thanks, FC. It is a smart film--not much fluff, just substance.Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-86260685430059088612014-05-23T11:52:43.424-04:002014-05-23T11:52:43.424-04:00Very insightful review, Kim. I agree with John - t...Very insightful review, Kim. I agree with John - the use of "tight" was perfection - add that to smart and it pretty much sums it up. A very compelling film.FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-11922136570764246982014-05-23T11:15:42.485-04:002014-05-23T11:15:42.485-04:00Thanks, John. Since Monroe was a virtual unknown ...Thanks, John. Since Monroe was a virtual unknown when she made this, most of the cast was comprised of character actors who knew how to own whatever parts they were given. Sadly, the least satisfying performance comes from Hayden, who was supposedly the star of the film. Kimberly J.M. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078951928157843937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672005424133365490.post-13348650615049337652014-05-23T09:05:46.599-04:002014-05-23T09:05:46.599-04:00Kim, You did a great job describing this film. It&...Kim, You did a great job describing this film. It's one of my favorite crime/noir films, loaded with wonderful performances. I particularly liked Louis Calhern's slimy performance but the entire cast is terrific. Early in your review you use the word "tight" to describe it. Perfect!John/24Frameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14719659042858962026noreply@blogger.com