Saw 'You Only Live Once' as a great admirer of Fritz Lang, with his best work being influential masterpieces (have said quite a few times about loving 'Metropolis' and 'M'). It was very interesting seeing Henry Fonda paired with Sylvia Sidney, and both have given impressive and more performances. Am especially fond of Sidney and here she is in the type of role that suited her to the ground, despite being familiar with Fonda for longer.
'You Only Live Once' turned out to be quite an outstanding film and of all the films seen recently, the hard-hitting punch, irony and grit that 'You Only Live Once' had made it really stand out. While not one of Lang's most influential films, it is to me in the top end and one of the best of his US films. It also has to me some of the best work of both Fonda and Sidney, especially Sidney, and the film is a must-see for both of them and not to be missed.
What really stands out in 'You Only Live Once' is the performances of the two leads. Sidney is especially wonderful, vulnerability in this type of film is not always this tender or touching and not the easiest to pull off. Fonda also gives one of his best performances and has some frightening intensity in his best moments. All the supporting cast are fine, but it is all about Fonda and Sidney at the top of their game.
All helped by Lang's immaculate direction, capturing the bleakness and tension of the situation flawlessly. There are some very handsome production values, especially the moody lighting that is in keeping with the film's bleak tone. The music is also quite atmospheric in a haunting way without over-scoring.
The script has tight tension, irony and poignancy, while the story is increasingly hard-hitting and suspenseful as well as surprisingly poignant. The prison yard scene is magnificently ironic.
Overall, superb film. 10/10
'You Only Live Once' turned out to be quite an outstanding film and of all the films seen recently, the hard-hitting punch, irony and grit that 'You Only Live Once' had made it really stand out. While not one of Lang's most influential films, it is to me in the top end and one of the best of his US films. It also has to me some of the best work of both Fonda and Sidney, especially Sidney, and the film is a must-see for both of them and not to be missed.
What really stands out in 'You Only Live Once' is the performances of the two leads. Sidney is especially wonderful, vulnerability in this type of film is not always this tender or touching and not the easiest to pull off. Fonda also gives one of his best performances and has some frightening intensity in his best moments. All the supporting cast are fine, but it is all about Fonda and Sidney at the top of their game.
All helped by Lang's immaculate direction, capturing the bleakness and tension of the situation flawlessly. There are some very handsome production values, especially the moody lighting that is in keeping with the film's bleak tone. The music is also quite atmospheric in a haunting way without over-scoring.
The script has tight tension, irony and poignancy, while the story is increasingly hard-hitting and suspenseful as well as surprisingly poignant. The prison yard scene is magnificently ironic.
Overall, superb film. 10/10