The Asphalt Jungle Reviews

The good stuff:

Plenty of great characters here! You have the old, accomplished fat-cat sleezey defense lawyer, the unflappably cordial German criminal mastermind, the tough-guy with just enough heart to make you root for him, the safecracking family man, the disfugured wheel man, and the weasily bookie, all of whom come together to pull off the heist of the century. But a double cross and several strokes of bad luck threaten to destroy the lives of every one of them.

Even the minor characters are fascinating. The crooked cop, the tough-on-crime police commissioner, the violent private eye, the down-on-her-luck dancer girlfriend, the bedridden wife. Finally, be prepared for a very young looking Marilyn Monroe (she was 23 playing 17 or 18) who will make you feel like a dirty old man for lusting after her-- and I'm only 27!

The camera work is, of course, top notch. It's John Huston, here, folks! And you can't beat the quintessential noir atmosphere of dark, dilapidated, urban landscapes, every filthy corner teeming with corruption.

The bad stuff:

Sterling Hayden and Jean Hagen really chew up the scenery. Their scenes together are cringe inducing.

The sound is pretty unremarkable.

Bottom-line:

If you like noir, this is a must-see.