MovieChat Forums > Touch of Evil (1958) Discussion > Can we all just be honest about this mov...

Can we all just be honest about this movie?

posted 18 years ago by Rupert__Pupkin
99 replies | jump to latest

I'm sick of everyone crediting this as a great movie because of the cinematography, the music, and the lighting. Apparently, the people who make these comments are all film producers and camera men. Call me old-fashioned, but I enjoy movies with great scripts, unique stories, and interesting characters. Pardon me for not raving about this movie because the lighting was exquisite. Let's just be honest and identify this film as what it really is: a really boring movie. Orson Welles did some great movies. (The Third Man is one of my all time favorites.) Touch of evil, however, is slow, meandering, and dull.

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[–] dave_wlogan 15 years ago

I didn't like this movie at first. I thought aspects were good but was annoyed by Charlton Heston. I was impressed with the look and Welles' performance. I thought it was just an average noir the first time I saw it, when I was 15. Watched it 4 years later and loved so much more about it. Heston still annoyed me but I got over that. It almost made my quartet of favourite noirs a quintet. It is a classic film. Maybe the OP should give it another look.

"You haven't got the feel of this at all, lad. Use all your voices. When I bellow, bellow back."

[–] rwsmith29456 15 years ago

The soundtrack literally gives me a headache. Way too much depends on the 'obligatory stupid white woman' to make the plot work. MOST of the camera work was way cool, but some of the scenes confused me. Welles mutters so much I can't understand what he's saying. Other than that, great movie.

[–] xoddie 15 years ago

I agree that the plot of this movie is not the tightest by any means. However You can't overlook style, tone, and direction in a film like this. Not to mention the overall theme is really fascinating and thought provoking. It's alot easier to like this movie if your able to look at individual moments and aspects of the film; Welles as Quinlan, the opening shot, Quinlan's scenes with Tanyan, the ending..etc

[–] Naughty-God 14 years ago

I've seen your self-righteous posts on other forums and your comment here rings with the same indignant whining. So what if you're sick of other people crediting this film? Deal with it and move on. Your negative opinion about other people's praise for this film only makes you look to be petty and out of touch. I for one never found this film dull, meandering, or slow and it seems you lack the ability to expound on those comments. You may have done that in the replies to other posters who criticized you, but a good commentator makes their point with a list of examples to back it up in their original post. You didn't do that.

(¯`i´¯)´·¸.)‹^›

[–] Rupert__Pupkin 14 years ago

NG,

According to your "logic," any time someone criticizes a movie that you like, it's considered whining. And if someone writes something negative about a movie you like, they're petty and out of touch. Wow! Such insight! Thank you for sharing!

For the record, I've written several posts on exactly why this movie is garbage. If you're too lazy to go back and read my previous posts, then that's your problem.

A good critic gets his facts straight before posting. Better luck next time.

[–] lastmidnite2 14 years ago

The Third Man is a Carol Reed film. Just saying. I also notice that all your posts about other movies are about you saying what's so great about this or that movie. So you don't like classic films, we get it.

[–] Rupert__Pupkin 14 years ago

I don't like classic films? What? I love classic films. I just don't like this one. What does me posting about other movies have to do with me not liking the classics?

[–] HunterSVonnegut 12 years ago

This film is "garbage"? I don't think it's the greatest thing in the history of film but I like it well enough to own it and I'm not even a film producer or camera man. You don't like it? Fine, you're entitled to your opinion and you've stated your reasons but that's your perception. That shouldn't have to be anyone else's reality.

[–] kaydenpat 12 years ago

It would have been better if it focused on Welles' attempt to set up the Mexican kid. That was the most interesting part of the storyline.

[–] Errington_92 11 years ago

Sure there are certain plot points which can be questioned. But Touch of Evil was still engaging in its storyline along with great cinematography.

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".