Stanley Kubrick's early effort 'The Killing' really should be considered one of his best films. Compared to his later efforts its a much more traditional film about a group of criminals attempting a major heist. The film really put Kubrick on the map with his sharp dialogue and cinematic lense. The Killing unfolds beautifully from the opening frame, with the first 20 minutes or so, Kubrick jumps from character to character, as they learn the meeting place for where they will discuss the heist among themselves. It's confusing at first, but Kubrick is establishing a few of the key character's back stories, which are crucial for later sequences. As the film builds towards the inevitable heist, the audience is never told about what exactly the plan is, but rather is given pieces much like Johnny, the leader of the gang of thieves, only telling the various participants only what they need to know. This builds a lot of suspense and intrigue as to what exactly is going to go down, amplifying the heist simply by withholding information. Sterling Hayden is pretty much perfect as the rough leader of the crew, Johnny Clay. It's actually really interesting to re-watch 'The Killing' so close after seeing 'Terror in Texas Town' just to see the range that Hayden had as an actor. Marie Windsor is also a highlight, as the money obsessed Sherry, who is the wife of one of the men involved in the heist. The whole movie is told in a non-linear style, particularly the heist in which we go back and forth between morning and afternoon as we follow each character preparing and carrying out their part of the heist. The Killing very well may be Kubrick's most accomplished film from a narrative structure perspective, creating an effective, interesting and intense thriller.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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