Plot: Alan and Gabbie find each other in a remote cafe. They get to talking and they seem to be getting along fine, but then a fugitive killer enters the bar. He takes the people in the cafe hostage, should his persecutors find him there. The atmosphere is tense, as the people in the bar try to figure out how to escape their dangerous situation.
Watches
August 28, 2024
This film is based on a play, and they didn't do much to hide it. Sure enough, the single-location setting is a giveaway, but it's the focus on endless dialogues and the bland direction that seals the deal. It's a small miracle this film was able to launch Bogart's career, as it isn't much to look at.
The introduction seems to take ages, we're already halfway through the movie before the actual plot kicks in. The characters get a lot of exposure, but they're pretty dull, and the long dialogues slow everything down. It's not a long film, but it sure feels like it's well over two hours. Not good.