☆ ☆ ☆ ½
Crossroads (1942) – J. Conway
William Powell plays David Talbot, a French diplomat,
recently married to beautiful Hedy Lamarr, who is suddenly accused of an
outstanding debt and asked to turn over $1 million francs. Unfortunately, Talbot has long been suffering
from amnesia and can’t remember his past!
When he refuses to pay, he’s taken to court where witnesses identify him
as another man (Jean Pelletier). There are a few twists and turns in the plot (that
involve Basil Rathbone and Claire Trevor) but Talbot remains inscrutable
throughout. Is he pretending to have amnesia?
It's a possibility. Powell only occasionally allows his witty and dapper (Thin
Man) persona to show through and instead remains glum and rather dour most of
the time. This takes a bit of the shine
off the film but it is nevertheless a solid watch, if not quite noir. Of
course, it’s all tied up with a bow at the end (although didn’t seem like it
would be).
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