Change Your Image
superdavey
Reviews
12 Angry Men (1957)
Brilliant direction and performances
I saw 12 Angries for the 4th time last night. I knew every line and reaction and was still engrossed to the end. The are maybe a couple dozen movies I can say that about.
To be honest, I think some of the dialog and a couple of the plot points are weak, but Lumet's direction keeps the movie moving seamlessly forward. All the actors are good, with Ed Begley, EG Marshall and Henry Fonda particularly so. It is Lee J. Cobb, however, that stands out for me. So powerful yet nuanced. Near the end, after Cobb recounts "every single" reason he thinks the kid is guilty, John Fiedler says "You said we could throw out all the other evidence"
Cobb's reaction of bewilderment and frustration rang so true I have a hard time believing he was acting.
A fun exercise is to figure out the juror you most identify with. For me it is Fonda. Thoughtful, respectful, balanced, and cautious. Sometimes to a fault.
Grand Central Murder (1942)
What do you expect from a "B" movie? A little more...
Weak "Who-dun-it" storyline with volume of suspects emphasized over quality. Some were just cluttering up the set.
There were positives: Heflin was good, as was Patricia Dane, and Connie Gilchrist fine in support. Millard Mitchell added some fun. Ramon was interesting until he was pointlessly and unfortunately killed.
I try not to take these types of movies too seriously, but I was really let down by the ending. First, although the mysterious cause of death was an intriguing plot-point, the fact that Dane was electrocuted while showering yet was found fully-clothed and dry is maddeningly ridiculous. Second, an old man stuns a cop with single blow and out-runs 3 more? Seems strange that Dane would shower at a time like that, to begin with. And stranger still that the jilted daughter would agree to take a shower in the train car at the PI's suggestion.