MovieChat Forums > The Big Heat (1953) Discussion > Some of the best dialogue in a film noir...

Some of the best dialogue in a film noir...ever!

posted 18 years ago by jcremona
25 replies | jump to latest

This movie had some of the toughest, tough-guy and tough-girl dialogue I have ever heard in a movie, past or present. I was amazed at the venom coming from Glenn Ford's mouth. Handled by any other director or set of actors, this would be a parody of the genre. But this movie is as powerful as coffee in your face, and it makes you appreciate the experience. It's true - if you want to see a textbook, but by no means common, example of film noir, see this film.

[–] jungetorless 14 years ago

I thought the dialogue was so non-witty and straightforward at times as to be unintentionally (or maybe intentionally?) amusing. Most hard-boiled detectives are cynical and sarcastic and talk with slightly veiled double entendres. They always act as if there's more that they know that they're hiding. Not so for Glenn Ford here; he's direct, and tells it exactly how he sees it, often saying things that are totally obvious. Instead of being sneaky at the bar he basically tells the owner that he knows he's guilty. He doesn't even have that much legitimate evidence when he goes to Lagana's house; he just barges in and tells Lagana that he's a worthless murderer. That's what gets his wife killed. Instead of insinuating it, he tells all the cops that they're frightened rabbits to their faces and that's what gets his badge taken away.

It's actually kind of interesting, and shows that Fords character is flawed and deeply pained but also truly honest. Sometimes Glenn Ford's delivery is just silly though. When the cops at the precinct tell him not to use his gun he says something like "I won't...not until I find the people who killed my wife." Hilarious.

http://dasfilmblog.blogspot.com/

[–] franzkabuki 14 years ago

Yeah Ford´s hardly a remarkable actor, but he has a plainness and directness that suit the role perfectly. Convincing enough as a tough guy, too (although a few times his asskicking abilities border on ridiculous - that´s however the director´s or writers fault, not his).

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] PunishU 12 years ago

Lots of honest dialogue (especially today's so-called clever genres) can seem a tad too silly or unintentionally amusing for their own good but like noir, I say watch any of these early genre installments a few times every five or so years just to see if they maintain their above-average quality of their respective times.

Sometimes, they can be like coffee where it's a quick rush out the door and nothing more while other times it's like any aging wine where the reward builds up repeatedly upon rewatching.

[–] asgard-5 12 years ago

I liked how Bannion's wife said the goon used actual four letter words. This is a great movie from a really well written script.

[–] nimstic 11 years ago

I have a different perspective. This is a character (albeit being a noir film) from a story distinct from those with the traits you have described above. I never found Ford's delivery flawed at any point, in fact they were immaculate and precision perfects.

[–] Trax-3 8 years ago

I never found Ford's delivery flawed at any point, in fact they were immaculate and precision perfects.

Ford is a good natural actor. I've never found him less than convincing in any film, which is not something I can say about some of his more famous colleagues.

As a matter of fact everybody was good here. It is not one of those "old films" where acting can become an issue.

[–] nimstic 11 years ago

You have put it down so well. This is exactly how I felt, more than the lines its the delivery that was immaculate. I could feel the punch of who each line was delivered by Ford and Marvin. Such humungous actors, macho and superbly sharp. I totally enjoyed these characters and performances more than the film itself.

Lee Marvin for instance so brilliant brutal, i felt there aren't too many of such performances I have seen. He's such a great performer.

Glen Ford's punch was as strong as his words. There was no way anyone could have given him a hard time with such a power emitting from him, he was outstanding wasn't he?

A great movie!

[–] lizcarlo87 10 years ago

Yes the dialogue was very good. The actors and actresses delivered the dialogue brilliantly as well.