Sweet Smell Of Success

Year: 1957

Grade: A-

Country: USA

Director: Mackendrick

Review

mackendrick doesn’t get a whole lot of credit for his direction here, and i’m not entirely certain why. people say things like “it’s such a good script that no one could have screwed it up,” or they attribute the visual impact entirely to james wong howe. sure, the script is great and howe is a giant in the world of cinematography, but mackendrick does a very solid job here and shouldn’t be overlooked. he stages people well and moves them in and out of the frame well. he obviously worked well with the actors, composer and cinematographer. he knew to keep his hands off the script, etc. it’s about as seedy a film noir as you’re likely to see. from curtis pimping out his part-time squeeze in order to get ahead to lancaster’s whole existence. the power lancaster wields with his little pencil and pad. the dog eat dog world. it’s a great little film. i’ll get an email from pops if i don’t mention the fact that there’s a character in “diner” who recites lines from this movie throughout the picture.