Dark Passage (1947)

Sam: "I figure you slugged her with that ashtray because she made life miserable for you."

By Delmer Daves
With Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and Agnes Moorehead

I was randomly browsing through Lauren Bacall's filmography when I saw Dark Passage. First of all, the title is brilliant and screams film-noir and when I saw that she made it with Humphrey Bogart, it didn't require much more convincing for me to see it. Now, I feel like I will have to investigate the two other movies they made together that I didn't see yet.

Dark Passage is the story of escaped convict, Vincent Parry, who is on the run when he is surprisingly rescued by the beautiful Irene Jansen who also decides to host him at her place. Baffled and suspicious at first, Vincent learns that Irene's father was convicted of killing his wife, Irene's stepmother, just like Vincent was, and she believes he might be innocent  like her father. In order to remain hidden from the police, Vincent undergoes intensive plastic surgery to change his face. For a week, he isn't be able to talk, a week he spends at Irene's before the bandages come off and they see the new man he is.

Dark Passage uses very clever tricks. To begin with, we don't see Humphrey Bogart for the first hour of the movie. Given the fact that he plays Vincent after his surgery, we only see him in the shadows or under bandages, but more interestingly, the action is all filmed through a first person view in which the spectator sees through the eyes of Vincent Parry.

The real life couple of Bacall and Bogart works wonders and when they are together, the room holds so much class and charm. The intrigue is well directed and the mystery unfolds at a good rate. Although very little relies on anyone else, there are a few second characters who play key roles. We slowly learn more about Vincent's trial and even though it could have been possible to have the mystery of his guilt, or lack thereof, remain longer, it adds an interesting element to the film while it lasts. There were a few scenes that didn't keep the pace up as much as the rest--mostly involving Vincent's interactions with the crook or the policeman.

One thing that was quite experimental was the use of multiple, almost kaleidoscopic shots while Vincent is anesthetized for his surgery. I felt it added an interesting aspect in such an old movie. The pair of the cab driver and the doctor are really great as well.

I liked: First person view, use of plastic surgery and the bandages, the intrigue, San Francisco.

I disliked: Uneven pace. Not necessarily realistic when it comes to scarring and the surgery.

79/100
Even if the Dark Passage is simply metaphorical, it is a great ride, dealing with some serious issues and carried masterly by the couple Bogart-Bacall.