The Suspect

As much as I dig the fact that the poster proclaims the film unsuitable for general exhibition, 'The Suspect' is, of course, not at all disturbing by today's standards (unless we're talking about how difficult a divorce was to obtain in the 40s). I wish more people would check it out - along with the rest of Siodmak's filmography - for it really is quite the neat little thriller. Tight and well-acted.

The really interesting thing here is Laughton's character. The film is almost apologetic about his actions and very much paints him as a victim, and Laughton does an excellent job of being pitiable and selling that perception. The resolution is an interesting way to conclude that arc. It's a film that's mixes lightheartedness and creepiness into both murder and romance, and does it quite well. While that mixture makes it interesting to watch, it also makes it a bit unsatisfying when it's over.

Above average crime thriller of the day.

Laughton gives a very deft and subtle performance in a film that absolutely relies on it; we go back and forth between sympathizing with this man and being genuinely curious about his real nature. The tone of the film runs the risk of being uneven (it alternates lightheartedness with suspense) but it works.

This is a slightly-better-than-average story, helped with some great acting, including a very restrained Laughton, Lamont as an abused wife, and Ivan as Laughton's overbearing wife. There's not much mystery; it's pretty much exactly what you expect. Hitchcock might have added another twist or two, but it's still a perfectly serviceable film as is, without traversing any new ground.

Charles Laughton is wonderful (as always) as a hen-pecked man who falls in love with Raines but can't escape his overbearing wife. The film manages to be both gloomy and light, which makes it sound uneven but it's actually pulled off very nicely. The first half is compelling domestic drama and the second half is fun cat-and-mouse as the noose tightens around Laughton's neck, all with a very Hitchcockian vibe. Good times.

Há 75 anos Dúvida tinha sua première em Los Angeles. Esse é um dos filmes mais ACAB que conheço, você sabe que a personagem do Laughton tem toda a razão, mas vem a polícia pra foder tudo principalmente porque estamos no auge do código Hays, o que não impede de mesmo assim ser um filmaço. DVDRip no MakingOff.

Very good.

Thanks to Laughton's character, the story can do without the twists and tricks that help elevate numerous thrillers of its sort from the same era.

If that moustached detective was the least detective looking detective in the police force, then they need to reconsider their hiring policy.

The first ever Columbo episode.

A fairly run of the mill but solid noir from Siodmak. The primary standout element is Laughton's character and performance, which is quite different than the protagonist in most noirs, and the ending throws a bit of a twist into how things are normally done in noirs as well. It lacks in suspense a bit--I felt some parts could have been a little more tense. A pretty good movie, though.

Laughton is just so good, playing gentleness when the rage lurks just beneath the surface, but without resorting to the hammy actor tricks to show us this. A few good atmospheric shots as well, along with the effective choice to keep one major event off screen. The story strains credulity a few times, notably around the blackmail attempt and in its conclusion. But overall, quite enjoyable.

Chilling would be the right word to describe this little Charles Laughton vanity.