Key Largo (1948)

One of my all time favorites.

Best movie ever!

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

While other reviewers found this film to be "claustrophobic", I never shared that impression, thanks mostly to the opening, aerial shots of the bus on the Overseas Highway, the snappy script by director John Huston and Richard Brooks, and the stellar performances of most of the cast, including Edward G. Robinson, Humphrey Bogart, Lionel Barrymore, Claire Trevor, and Thomas Gomez. I would add Lauren Bacall to that list were it not for her subdued, lethargic character who closely scrutinized the commanding officer of her deceased husband at every opportunity from start to finish. I much preferred her as Irene Jansen in the grossly under-rated "Dark Passage", my favorite Bogart-Bacall film among the series of four.Disillusioned as a drifter after World War II, Frank McCloud (Bogart) visits the Florida Keys hotel belonging to the wheelchair bound father (Barrymore) of his Army buddy and subordinate. At the "historic" hotel, he not only finds a very lonely Nora Temple (Bacall), the widow of the same fellow warrior, but a bunch of nasty, despicable criminals, led by notorious gangster Johnny Rocco (Robinson). Having taken over the establishment, they hold the father and his daughter-in-law hostage. He also meets Rocco's washed up, alcoholic but fair-minded moll (Trevor in an Oscar winning role), a couple of brothers from a local Seminole tribe on the run from the law, and a powerful hurricane on rapid approach. When the skipper of the hoodlums' boat decides to evacuate secretly, the thugs decide that only McCloud, an experienced seaman, has the ability to ferry them to their destination in Havana. After McCloud foregoes one opportunity to kill the detestable Rocco at the hotel, will he waive a second chance against enormous odds as he stands alone and outnumbered among the gang far out at sea?And what was Johnny Rocco repeatedly whispering in the ear of Nora Temple that revolted her so? As viewers, we can only imagine the extent of his depravity. Mr. Barrymorel, with intense loathing and contempt, describes Johnny best. "You filth!"

John Huston's 'Key Largo' is set in a Post World War II America and the film is unapologetic about showcasing the pessimism that had enveloped America and Americans after the war. It's about the loss of a self-respecting identity. This is epitomised by the character of Frank McCloud played by Humphrey Bogart. This is not a very characteristic role for Bogart. McCloud is a war veteran who has now become a homeless drifter due to his lack of interest in a settled life. He is a sane version of Travis Bickle, he might have been a vibrant, hopeful man in his pre-service days, but after coming back from the war and watching an America that has further collapsed into corruption, mob activity and evil, he has slipped into a state of depression and deliberate indifference. Bogart gives a subdued performance with moments of tenderness reminiscent of the tenderness of Rick Blaine in 'Casablanca'. But McCloud also shows signs of selfishness and cowardly reluctance which are a consequence of his pessimism towards life after war. There is an ambiguity to his character that makes him interesting.Lauren Bacall doesn't give us the quintessential 'Lauren Bacall' performance either. Instead of being the 'Femme fatale' with the seductive allure and the sharp tongue, her character Nora is a sweet, kind-hearted widow taking care of her father-in-law. There are genuinely sweet and charming moments between Bogart and Bacall. Nora's presence and her innocent sweetness has an undeniable effect on McCloud which makes him reconsider his moral stance and contemplate the idea doing something instead of continuing his reluctance about standing up to the gangsters.Edward G. Robinson is a dynamite in every scene he is in. Johnny Rocco oozes charisma and a sense of control. It takes a lot to be in the same scene with Bogart and go toe to toe with him in terms of exuding authoritativeness, but Robinson does it effortlessly.Although Huston doesn't use too many attention seeking shots or too much fancy camera work, one can easily see the noir-ish elements in the lighting and prominent shadows in the film. There are some carefully used tracking shots and extreme close-ups for artistic purposes that work perfectly and the film on Blu-Ray looks very pleasing to the eye. Huston's biggest achievement is maintaining a tone of suspense throughout the running time. The staging of 90 percent of the film in the confines of the interiors of Hotel Largo adds to the claustrophobia which the viewer feels along with McCloud, Nora and Temple. The only flaw is that the shootout scenes are very clumsily directed and almost look comical now after all these years.'Key Largo' is thematically a film which wrestles the idea of whether someone should or shouldn't give a damn even if he/she feels an assertive action doesn't mean much in the bigger picture. A thematically potent core along with good direction and acting make 'Key Largo' an easy recommendation.

simple great. for performances, sure. but, in same measure, for the splendid atmosphere. who remains unique. because it is slice of a period.a period with its heroes, values and faiths. with its sensitivity and force of suggestion. a film who could reminds many roles of Bogart and Robinson and Bacall. and who reminds the great talent of Lionel Barrymore . a film of atmosphere, special in each aspect, impressive at whole, it is just a masterpiece.

"Key Largo" is one of three Humphrey Bogart noir mysteries that have become classic films. The other two are "The Petrified Forest" of 1936 and "The Maltese Falcon" of 1941. Besides being intriguing stories, all three films have other things in common. Most notably are the sizable casts of leading and top-drawer actors. Besides Bogart, "The Falcon" had Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet and others. "The Forest" also had Leslie Howard, Bette Davis and others. "Key Largo" had Bacall, Edward G. Robinson, Lionel Barrymore and Claire Trevor. She won the best supporting actress Oscar for her portrayal of Gaye Dawn. Bogart plays a former Army major who had served in Italy during WW and was a friend of James Temple's son, who was killed in the war. He has stopped by to see the senior Temple who is played by Lionel Barrymore. Bacall is his daughter-in-law Nora, who is the widow of his deceased son. Robinson plays Johnny Rocco a once big-time crime boss from the days of prohibition. He and his gang have taken over Temple's hotel in Key Largo where they are arranging an underworld trade. Trevor's Gaye Dawn is a one-time top club singer and girlfriend of Rocco. She has become an alcoholic in the years that Rocco has been away. He had been kicked out of the U.S. There are many tense scenes in this fine film. Local police are checking for two Indians who have escaped from jail. A hurricane is developing. The local Indians have come to the hotel for shelter in the storm, only to be turned out by the gangsters. A good supporting cast play Rocco's sidekicks, and the intrigue intensifies until the very end. The film has an ending that comes as a bit of a surprise. But this is one very good, superbly acted, and interesting mystery thriller.