The technicolor undermines the seediness and occasional bleakness turning a lot of it into a standard romantic drama where the tension seems more a plot device than an overwhelming presence. What works is due in large part to Taylor who delivers some magnificent scenes, and Cobb. Things turn up a notch in the second half and particularly the final 10 minutes when things finally come together. Ending aside, it didn't wow me much, and Charisse feels like dead weight, but it's still entertaining.

Not a bad film by any definition, but a disappointment coming from Nicholas Ray. While it has some great moments, it never finds its groove. The romance is believable, but uninspiring. The gangster elements are done well, but a little too familiar. The color photography is eye-popping, but interferes with the noir mood. There's a pair of impressive dance numbers, but they definitely feel tacked on. In other words, the movie doesn't really get anything WRONG, but it failed to grab hold of me.

A fairly straightforward romantic melodrama about two individuals who find love, despite each being trapped by their own dubious professions. Plot-wise, it goes how you'd expect it to go, but the colour photography is bold and vibrant and the pacing is brisk and economical. Cobb is delightfully sinister as the mob boss, but all the other actors put in strong performances too.