Film Noir is a strange genre for movie lovers, because instead of a simple formula like westerns, musicals and comedy, Film noir is more about mood and the dark side of life. Which is quite a wide range, from hidden vices, gangsters, theifs or just good people who mean well but get sucked into a dark world due to weakness or seduction.
That last one is where Out of the Past fits. It starts with a gangster looking guy who's a rude prick looking for what he calls a old friend. The friend in question is actually a once private eye named Jeff(played by the ultimate film noir tough guy, Robert Mitchum). Jeff has ran away from the city to start a new life, and the tough guy is a old goon for a man who hired Jeff. Once he runs into Jeff,he tells him he has a old debt to pay.
Jeff has to cave in and go see the old boss. He has to explain his story to his new very understanding, girlfriend(Virginia Huston). So he takes her on a car ride and tells her the story of his past. What follows is one of the greatest flashbacks and voice over narration and the start of a film noir classic with double crosses, evil dames, plenty of smokes and a great climax.
Out of the Past is one of the film noir greats. Everything in it adds to the charm and glow of film noir. It tells the story of a man doomed to die with the flit of his past. He hides in the bright country but belongs to the slimy city.
Lighting and shadows are extra spooky and mysterious. From the bright country side to the underbelly of San Francisco. The night scenes are the best filmed of course, and the streets have never looked better. The country has a weird unreal glow to it, making it feel kinda hollow like Jeff's new girlfriend,she might be good heart but theres nothing to her other then that.
Cast wise everyone is in top form. Robert Mitchum plays Jeff as tough but wise, his street smart and quiet but knows hes doomed to his city life, and in many ways is a tragic hero. He wants to be good and able to stay behind with his new girlfriend,but he knows too much and is made for the work he does as a private eye.
Jane Greer plays Kathie,the woman who started all the trouble,by running away from the crime boss. Shes the perfect Femme Fatale,from the first moment we see her in her white dress, we know shes no good. She seduces all she sees and is a spider waiting to strike. Kirk Douglas plays the crime boss, here in a early screen role. He has a greedy smile thur out which adds to his creepiness, for the most part hes charming, but when you least expected it he can pack a punch.Virginia Huston plays Jeff's girlfriend in the country,while nice she is dull and the only real drawback in the cast.
Out of the Past was directed by Jacques Tourneur, the RKO mastermind behind Cat People(1942) and I Walked with a Zombie(1973). He gets the best from the cast and script and adds that spooky touch that was in his movies he did for Val Lewton(such as the 2 listed earlier). Speaking of script, this one is a gold mine of hard boiled dialogue and noir action.It adds a strange humor thurout, and spices up many what could be dull scenes.
Out of the Past simply put is a film noir masterpiece. Showing a great cast,script and style. Its a perfect example for new comers of the genre, and one hell of a movie.
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