☆ ☆ ☆ ½
Nobody Lives Forever (1946) – J. Negulesco
Nick Blake (John Garfield) has been honorably
discharged (returning home in 1944, when this film was shot) but isn’t anxious
to return to his life as a con-man/swindler, although his friend Al (George
Tobias) is keen to get him back into the game. With his life in New York
suddenly less interesting (when he finds that his gal has been cheating on him
while he was away), Nick heads to California to catch up with his mate Pop Gruber
(Walter Brennan) who turns out to be down on his luck. Although he really just wants to rest and
recover from his wartime trauma, Nick allows Al and Pop to convince him to sign
up to con a widow out of her $2 million fortune (a scam organised by evil “Doc”,
George Coulouris). But, of course, Nick falls for the beautiful widow, Gladys
(Geraldine Fitzgerald). This being noir,
things get complicated fast. Director Jean Negulesco adds a few unusual
flourishes (the visit to the Mission) and occasionally undercuts the noir vibe
with a humorous note. Garfield is strong as the conflicted anti-hero and holds
things together throughout, with strong support from the assorted character actors.
Above average.
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