The Reckless Moment (1949)
Genre: Drama / Filmnoir
Duration: 82 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Max Ophüls
Stars: James Mason, Joan Bennett and Geraldine Brooks
IMDb score:
7,1 (6.553)
Releasedate: 9 December 1949
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
The Reckless Moment plot
"It could happen to so many married women!"
After Bea Harper's mother finds Bea's boyfriend's body, she hides it, assuming Bea killed him. Problems arise when she is blackmailed by shady types.
Actors and actresses
Martin Donnelly
Lucia Harper
Bea Harper
Tom Harper
Ted Darby
David Harper
Nagel
Old Lady (uncredited)
Man (uncredited)
Man (uncredited)
Reviews & comments
otherfool
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- 18541 messages
- 3404 votes
Dutch title: Women in Fear
A powerful film revolving around the frantic nervousness of protagonist Mrs. Harper (Bennett), who finds herself in a serious crisis just as her husband is abroad. Chain-smoking, she tries to keep things and her thoughts together, while her son, daughter, father-in-law, and housekeeper constantly talk to her, distract her, and keep an eye on her. It is brilliant how stifling family life is portrayed; the angle is beautiful and there are also some very fine visual examples in this regard, such as the various 'staircase scenes'.
When blackmailers and the police get involved as well, the walls really start closing in on Mrs. Harper. The surprising twist is that the charming crook Mason initially blackmails her, but over time begins to develop feelings for her, although his declaration of love remains superficial and isn't really fleshed out. That was a shame, causing the film to fizzle out a bit.
Translated from Dutch · View original
starbright boy (moderator films)
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- 22649 messages
- 5263 votes
Somewhere deep down, I should have known. I had seen four films by Ophuls before, and three of them were much finer than expected. Also, although I rate it (too) low, is his Dutch director-for-hire film *Komedie Om Geld*. Only *Caught* didn't live up to my expectations many years ago (but I should rewatch that too). But this film makes it definitive. I am a huge fan of Ophuls. This is a complex melodrama full of moral questions and punctures the society of that time at a high level. Even before people like Nicholas Ray and Douglas Sirk filled many a top film with that in the 1950s. Added to that is Ophuls' dynamic and very lively style, which reflects a great deal of the content.
With Joan Bennett in the lead role, the film features one of the finest lead roles in studio-era Hollywood that I know, and with the scene in which she goes to hide the body, one of the most beautiful scenes. And that is without even mentioning the fine performance of Mason and all the other actors. The special role played by the character of the black housekeeper Sybil in this film, and the perfect ending. Never expected this to happen with my noir cycle this month, but I am making room in my top 10.
Translated from Dutch · View original
El Loco
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- 1339 messages
- 2575 votes
My fourth by Ophüls, and once again it doesn't score higher than a 2.5* or 3*. The story is fairly thin and, moreover, comes across as quite unbelievable, with the blackmailer falling in love with his victim. I think James Mason is a very good actor, but usually I am used to seeing him in roles where he is played off as a charmer with his beautiful diction.
I found the romance that develops between Joan Bennett and her blackmailer to be rather implausible and it certainly could have been better developed. Although the film does have a nice suspense arc, which is mainly kept high by Joan Bennett, who is constantly cornered, and she manages to convey that well with her nervous antics.
So, a barely passing grade.
2.5*
Translated from Dutch · View original
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