I Walk Alone

Very uneven. The set up is pretty interesting with two types of criminal clashing: Burt Lancaster who's getting out of prison and finds that the rough style of the '30s is no longer the way things are done, and his old partner Kirk Douglas who has thrived as a shrewd businessman - the new gangster ideal. The scenes with the two of them facing off are highlights in a fairly weak film.

The way Lancaster and Douglas deliver lines and dominate a scene is incredible and makes up for some weak spots in the script and the leisurely pacing. The story itself, about a criminal out of prison looking to get back with his gang in a different world is not bad, though it could be better. The dialogue is pretty fun at times and a couple of twists, along with the aforementioned performances kept me interested. Lizabeth Scott is hit and miss but that's as much the writing's fault as hers.

Burt's probably the better actor but so far I've seen two collaborations between them and Kirk is better in both. He dominates the screen in this movie, tricks us into thinking he's this charming man and then he turns out to be a charming asshole - but that's what he usually does, so you know. Burt broods and yells but he's no match for Kirk's sly smiles and shifty eyes.

Hollywood can't rescue a Broadway flop.

I enjoyed the acting and interactions between the three main characters. The actor's performances drive this film, and it's worth watching.

This film gets a lot of mileage out of simply putting Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas against each other; their battle of wills is super fun and their performances make up for their lack of subtlety with sheer punchiness. This is also a weirdly involving look at the business side of organized crime, which is interesting.

A fine drama bolstered by dynamite performances, but the pacing is sluggish. I wasn't surprised to see this was based on a play, most of the film is spent hanging around the same 2 or 3 sets. Still, it's time well spent exploring these characters, whose various interrelations make for very interesting drama and intriguing commentary on changing times. Nice music, but Scott's singing leaves something to be desired. Fine lighting and some good use of camera angles to crowd people in the frame.

Heavyweight cast from when they were still fresh to Hollywood. Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas and the always alluring Lizabeth Scott up-front in a dark boiling confrontation between two old crooks. While plenty could have been done until the inevitable confrontation to make things more exciting, the personality involved towers over the material in excellent fashion.

A really bizarre interpretation of the Code here, where an ex-con tries to muscle into his former partner's legitimate (mostly) new business venture using his old 30's gangster tactics somehow is framed as the virtuous protagonist. It also has a really strange, implausible ending.