Have recently returned to watching more classic/golden era films. Especially film noirs, mystery thrillers and silent film. There are always two common reasons for seeing any film or television series. One is if the premise sounds promising, 'No Questions Asked' applies here. The other is if there is a talented cast, again this applies here with Arlene Dahl and Jean Hagen being the most familiar names to me. Not to mention feelings on the genre, in this regard this is coming from a film noir fan.
'No Questions Asked' is another one of those recent discoveries long put in my watchlist but only got round to watching recently. It's another one that left me mostly impressed if not jumping out of my chair in rapture. For what it is, it is well done and executes almost all its components more than solidly. But it also misses out on having the extra something, other film noirs do better on the grit and suspense fronts. Definitely recommended and another film that doesn't deserve its seldom seen status, just not quite an essential.
Am going to start with what 'No Questions Asked' does well, which is a lot. It is filmed with a good sense of slick style and moody atmosphere and is crisply directed. The music and sound quality don't get over-bearing and suit the mood very well. The script is tight, entertaining and has bite, Jean Hagen's lines in particular sizzle and some lines are even quite daring. There are memorable scenes, such as the heist and the pool showdown.
Much of the story, while on the slight side, is tightly paced, absorbs enough and keeps one guessing, the twist not being as predictable as some in other lesser known film noirs. The opening scene is the grittiest the film gets. Barry Sullivan does a good job in the lead role, but he is outshone by a wonderfully icy Dahl (in a departure role) and the sparkling breath of fresh air that is Hagen.
Did think though that the story could have done with more grit and suspense, the action generally could have had more tension and not been as safe and the momentum isn't as tight in the latter stages.
It is just that after such daring lines in the script, it could have translated in the action but didn't quite. And the villains could have been fleshed out more and been more menacing instead of being standard genre cliches.
Concluding, not a great film but worth watching. 7/10.
'No Questions Asked' is another one of those recent discoveries long put in my watchlist but only got round to watching recently. It's another one that left me mostly impressed if not jumping out of my chair in rapture. For what it is, it is well done and executes almost all its components more than solidly. But it also misses out on having the extra something, other film noirs do better on the grit and suspense fronts. Definitely recommended and another film that doesn't deserve its seldom seen status, just not quite an essential.
Am going to start with what 'No Questions Asked' does well, which is a lot. It is filmed with a good sense of slick style and moody atmosphere and is crisply directed. The music and sound quality don't get over-bearing and suit the mood very well. The script is tight, entertaining and has bite, Jean Hagen's lines in particular sizzle and some lines are even quite daring. There are memorable scenes, such as the heist and the pool showdown.
Much of the story, while on the slight side, is tightly paced, absorbs enough and keeps one guessing, the twist not being as predictable as some in other lesser known film noirs. The opening scene is the grittiest the film gets. Barry Sullivan does a good job in the lead role, but he is outshone by a wonderfully icy Dahl (in a departure role) and the sparkling breath of fresh air that is Hagen.
Did think though that the story could have done with more grit and suspense, the action generally could have had more tension and not been as safe and the momentum isn't as tight in the latter stages.
It is just that after such daring lines in the script, it could have translated in the action but didn't quite. And the villains could have been fleshed out more and been more menacing instead of being standard genre cliches.
Concluding, not a great film but worth watching. 7/10.