I only knew of this movie because I had seen it on a previous TSPDT list. Otherwise I knew absolutely nothing about it and assumed it was primed to be a maudlin romantic melodrama. While it isn't void of any of those characteristics, Moonrise is a film noir that centers around themes of coming to peace with one's self and family.
Danny Hawkins is our lead character and we open with his father being put to death by hanging. Followed by montage of him being bullied by his peers due to his father's misdeeds. Murder, hidden lovers, hound dogs, wise country folk, and snooping lawmen abound. But all of that serves a story about a man coming to terms with his life. Director Frank Borzage, a Hollywood vet by this time in his career, creates beautiful image, one after another. He throws in a few nice noir-ish shots that are just cool, but (pardon my lack of technical knowledge) he consistently shoots characters close up, top of chest to head. I'm not clear why it is so effective here, but Borzage often creates a sense of depth and visual emotion each time. I loved it.
Downsides: The story of Moonrise didn't engage me as much I would like and the lead, Dane Clark, was serviceable at best (I did enjoy Gail Russell a good deal and wished her character didn't fade so far into the background as Moonrise reached its climax). However, knowing what the story is trying to do could make a second viewing a more enthralling experience.
All in all, I had a very good time with Moonrise. Thank you gifter!
It entered my chart at 67%.
Danny Hawkins is our lead character and we open with his father being put to death by hanging. Followed by montage of him being bullied by his peers due to his father's misdeeds. Murder, hidden lovers, hound dogs, wise country folk, and snooping lawmen abound. But all of that serves a story about a man coming to terms with his life. Director Frank Borzage, a Hollywood vet by this time in his career, creates beautiful image, one after another. He throws in a few nice noir-ish shots that are just cool, but (pardon my lack of technical knowledge) he consistently shoots characters close up, top of chest to head. I'm not clear why it is so effective here, but Borzage often creates a sense of depth and visual emotion each time. I loved it.
Downsides: The story of Moonrise didn't engage me as much I would like and the lead, Dane Clark, was serviceable at best (I did enjoy Gail Russell a good deal and wished her character didn't fade so far into the background as Moonrise reached its climax). However, knowing what the story is trying to do could make a second viewing a more enthralling experience.
All in all, I had a very good time with Moonrise. Thank you gifter!
It entered my chart at 67%.