Detour, a 1945 low-budget Thriller and near-perfect example of Film Noir excellence, was severely marred by the scene-chewing antics of Ann Savage, who literally bulldozed her way through her part like a rabid bitch in heat.
Detour lost significant points all on account of this wretched Savage wench. It was a good thing that her character wasn't present for the first half of this film, otherwise Detour would've been a total write-off in my books.
But once Savage's presence was firmly established in Detour's last half hour, the story deteriorated at an alarming rate and became so unbearable to watch at times that I almost turned it off in pure disgust.
Prior to Savage's savage entrance, Detour was an exceptionally intriguing Suspense/Drama about a honky-tonk pianist from NYC, named Al Roberts, whose life takes an unexpected and unpleasant U-Turn when he suddenly decides to hitch-hike out to Los Angeles in pursuit of his girlfriend (not Savage, thankfully).
Murder, blackmail, and sheer desperation all await young Al Roberts as he travels along the road, heading in the direction of the land of milk and honey.
Regardless of its low budget, Detour (filmed in black & white) obviously had excellent high-production values. And actor Tom Neal, as Al Roberts, was superb. I'd say that his performance was close to being on par with anything that I've ever seen from the likes of Robert Mitchum.
Detour lost significant points all on account of this wretched Savage wench. It was a good thing that her character wasn't present for the first half of this film, otherwise Detour would've been a total write-off in my books.
But once Savage's presence was firmly established in Detour's last half hour, the story deteriorated at an alarming rate and became so unbearable to watch at times that I almost turned it off in pure disgust.
Prior to Savage's savage entrance, Detour was an exceptionally intriguing Suspense/Drama about a honky-tonk pianist from NYC, named Al Roberts, whose life takes an unexpected and unpleasant U-Turn when he suddenly decides to hitch-hike out to Los Angeles in pursuit of his girlfriend (not Savage, thankfully).
Murder, blackmail, and sheer desperation all await young Al Roberts as he travels along the road, heading in the direction of the land of milk and honey.
Regardless of its low budget, Detour (filmed in black & white) obviously had excellent high-production values. And actor Tom Neal, as Al Roberts, was superb. I'd say that his performance was close to being on par with anything that I've ever seen from the likes of Robert Mitchum.