There are some noir elements, but they're pretty sparse. It's mostly just your average family melodrama. Second problem: Robinson plays a ridiculous caricature. He-a talk-a like dis! It's really painful. Third problem: Richard Conte. His character is all over the place. You feel like you're supposed to be rooting for him, but he's kind of a dick. I enjoyed the basic plot and the bitter tone, and there were some fine examples of nice framing... otherwise I was disappointed.