Jon Gries

I imagine this genre was easily overlooked as a serious consideration for The Academy. Or perhaps so closely after the war, people needed a lift and just weren't ready for this movie. This is a beautifully dark film. So many noir films I've watched are corny by today's standard. This one by comparison holds up extremely well. The performances throughout the entire cast are spot on. The tone of the film is so well handled by Anatole Litvak. The screenplay. The score. The cinematography. Production design. Perfect in tonal harmony. And the social theme is delivered with a surprisingly even brushstroke. Not heavy handed. The acting is perfect. Fonda and Bel Gedes would have walked away with Oscars had this been released today. Even despite the glaring difference in zeitgeist.