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Laura
| Media: | DVD | | Directed by: | Rouben Mamoulian, Otto Preminger | | Starring: | Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews | | Release date: | 15 March, 2005 | | List price: | $14.98 | | Our price: | $7.49 that is 50% off! |
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Laura |
Average rating:  |
 | Smoke and Mirrors | | A class act in film noir! "Laura" gloriously shot in black & white is a veritable showcase of long shadows, booze, and clouds of cigarette smoke. Gene Tierney was acceptably cast as Laura though her performance was hardly inspired. This Otto Preminger directed murder mystery largely succeeded on the strengths of an inspired supporting cast including a suprisingly likable Vincent Price as a vulnerable gigolo with Judith Anderson as the frustrated society matron who would crave his attention. But it was the physically slight persona and acerbic wit of would-be Svengali, Waldo Lydecker brillantly defined by Clifton Webb and his relationship with the hard-bitten, hard drinking police detective Mark McPherson portrayed in a career defining role by Dana Andrews that elevated this film to classic status. I am constantly amazed by the craft Webb displayed, notably as his character of Lydecker arose naked from his ritual bath in front of a perfect stranger in McPherson, dressing himself immaculately, and finally adorning his carefully tailored look with a fresh carnation all the while delivering clever lines of dialog perfectly timed to the moment. Obviously, the times and customs were far different in an urban America in the 1940's. With a world war raging but never mentioned in the film, who would nit-pick McPherson the worldly cop assigned to the murder case of Laura Hunt, a police detective who unabashedly consumed considerable amounts of alcohol on the job, in front of suspects and if the opportunity arose, before noon yet? Can you imagine the outrage today? Hollywood, of times long past also had a way of showcasing cigarette consumption and elevated its questionable use to high visual art. "Laura" certainly made full use of this handy device in scene after scene. The romantic "Laura" theme has been noted many times and with good reason. Its subtle variations lilting through out the film serve as a subtle point of focus. In these times of political correctness run amok, this film serves as a refreshing diversion to review and compare our contemporary behavior and mores to a generation past. "Laura" is a wonderfully crafted example of stylized film making to be enjoyed again and again. Pour yourself a scotch and soda, sit back and enjoy. |
| Laura - |  | "How singularly innocent I look this morning." | | Many consider Otto Preminger's "Laura" to be one of the shining stars of the film noir genre. The concept of a murdered woman who may not be dead after all certainly is compelling enough to serve as the basis for an intriguing film, but "Laura" just cannot make the most of its potential. Detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) is investigating the murder of Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney), an up-and-comer in the advertising business. His two prime suspects are Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb), a mentor to the deceased woman, and Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price), a slimy opportunist who was wooing the victim. As McPherson gets deeper into his investigation, he starts to develop an obsession with the dead woman. He gazes at her portrait longingly and wonders to himself just what kind of woman she was. One night after searching her apartment, McPherson dozes off and is shocked by the identity of the person who eventually awakens him. "Laura" is one of those frustrating films that should have been better than it was. The performances are all notable with Webb's being a particular standout. Tierney is beautiful as the victim of the story and it is easy to see why she would attract McPherson's attention even after her death. Yet, it becomes tiring to see McPherson bluffing his way out of situations over and over in an investigation where Lydecker actually does most of the investigating. Additionally, the sequence where McPherson finds the murder weapon is so clumsily shot that it drains all credibility from the film. In the end, the only certain thing that can be said about "Laura" is that among the better regarded film noir works from decades past, it is the one with the highest "camp" quotient and that isn't necessarily a good thing. |
| - Laura |  | The definitive Film Noir | | Excellent performances by Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Clifton Webb, and Vincent Price make this 1944 film an absolute classic of the film noir genre. Dana Andrews plays a hardboiled detective who falls in love with the murdered Laura Hunt (Gene Tierney) as he interviews the people closest to her. Plot twists keep the audience guessing who did it right up until the end. Vincent Price does a wonderfully smarmy turn as Laura's fiance Shelby Carpenter, and Clifton Webb is coldly manipulative as Waldo Lydecker. Otto Preminger's concise direction and an excellent supporting cast bring home a tight and exciting film. An absolute must see!!!!! END |
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