Workoholic architect Mike Voray (an engaging performance by the suave Jean-Pierre Aumont) neglects his fed-up and unfaithful wife Lynn (the fetching Alix Talton). One fateful day Lynn runs out on Mike. The police soon find out that Lynn was murdered and naturally suspect Mike of being the killer. Sound exciting? Well, it just ain't. George Cahan's bland direction lacks flair and style. Moreover, Cahan allows the pace to plod along at a sluggish clip and crucially fails to build any tension or momentum. In addition, Bill Barrett's talky script gets bogged down in banal dialogue and sudsy soap operaish subplots. On the plus side, the Rio setting adds some much-needed exotic flavor to the tedious proceedings, Aumont's solid acting just manages to hold everything together, the supporting cast is solid, and both Americo Hoss' stark black and white cinematography and the tasty flamenco score by Luiz Bonfra and Nicea Martins are up to speed. But overall this picture is way to slow and meandering to amount to anything more than an insipid and forgettable wash-out.
Review of Carnival of Crime
