MovieChat Forums > Too Late for Tears (1949) Discussion > Sucks, Even By Film Noir Standards

Sucks, Even By Film Noir Standards

posted 10 years ago by gsfsu
4 replies | jump to latest

I can't remember another film with more wooden acting by the leading lady. The dialog in this potboiler is so stilted as to be considered a comedy. And there is nothing convincing about the visuals either. The men do a bit better, especially Don DeFore, but it doesn't save the story. Dan Duryea tries pulling off a semi-psychotic blackmailer but it doesn't work. He is less than convincing. The only bright spot in this mess is Kristine Miller who plays the sister.

I am too young to remember this serial in the Saturday Evening Post but I think we can all assume it actually made some sense and wasn't filled with all the mistakes, oversights and gaffs as in the picture.

[–] DorianGray502 10 years ago

Well, the acting in those days was bit over the top, as were the one liners. Seems there were a lot of plot holes and weird events that came together which normally probably wouldn't have. I found Don DeFore very irratating from the very beginning, and the only part I found simply unbelievable. He popped up at all the right times and in all kinds of geography.

"When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."

[–] mdonln 9 years ago

I enjoyed the movie. It has a good plot that unfolds in an interesting way. Often in film noir, someone does something that leads them down the wrong path and the problems that ensue are usually of their own doing. In this movie, the bag of money is thrown into their car and everything stems from there. The decisions that are made from there lead to their demise.

It shows how a 'windfall' can completely change not only a person's life but also the lives of the people around them. Jane's willingness to do whatever it takes to keep the money reminds us we don't always know people as well as we think we do.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

[–] kerrydragon 8 years ago

I also thought the acting was wooden,the characters/actors lacked chemistry,and the whole thing lacked real suspense,plus it looked low budget.

[–] BrandNewPoster (10996) a year ago

I thought it was entertaining and above average.