To Have and Have Not (1944)

Marie 'Slim' Browning: "I'd rather you wouldn't call me Slim. I'm a little too skinny to take it kindly."

By Howard Hawks
With Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and Walter Brennan

My interest in Bogart finally got me to watch his collaborations with his wife Lauren Bacall, funnily enough, this one, To Have and Have Not is the last one I watched but it is where it all started. I decided to see it after watching Key Largo (1948) which uses some of the deleted boat scenes from To Have and Have Not.

The film takes place in French Martinique during World War II. France is occupied by Nazi Germany and La Résistance, also known as the Free French, are fighting as hard as they can against it, while remaining underground. In that turmoil, Harry Morgan is a boat captain who loans his services to wealthy people in need of a boat. His last client, however, seems reluctant to pay and by chance, he sees him getting robbed out of his wallet by Marie Browning. Harry confronts her and by analyzing the content of the wallet, realizes he was about to run off. When Free French Fighters try to hire his boat for a special mission, Harry refuses, knowing it would get him in trouble with the law, but the law comes in trouble with him anyway and they confiscate his money. In need of money and growing closer and closer with Marie, Harry accepts the mission... and the risks that come with it.

What strikes the viewer at first are the contextual similarities with Casablanca (1942). They are both set in French colonies, during the occupation of France and they both see Humphrey Bogart's character involved, despite his reluctance, with the fight against the Nazi-occupied French Regime. The most important feature of the movie is of course the romance between Harry Morgan and Slim, which also developed in a classical case of real life romance between actors.

It is hard to believe this is Lauren Bacall's first film as she oozes with glamour, charm and confidence in a role where she is not just a woman falling for the lead's charm, but is a very strong willed and skillful thief, who is also a lost soul. I rarely find romances to bring something special to a movie, but this is definitely an exception. In fact, I'd even say that it is the key element of this film.

Something else that I really enjoyed is the use of music and big bands. The piano of Cricket, his voice and Slim's humming or singing gave the entire bar another atmosphere. The acting, outside of the main couple, was quite good and familiar faces such as Dan Seymour or Walter Brennan both shine in their peculiar, yet really memorable roles. As funny as this sounds, the weakest link might actually be the story. The whole plot about the French Freedom Fighters actually doesn't pull the viewer in as it seems almost secondary to the characters interactions. Maybe the story is being shadowed by the similar, but oh so genius Casablanca (1942).

I liked: Actually a good romance with a strong female lead. Funny. Historical context.

I disliked: The boat scenes actually don't bring much. Shadows Casablanca.

82/100
If you liked Casablanca (1942) you should see it. To Have and Have Not does not top it, but it feels like it was filmed in the same vibe. It is totally worth it, if only for Bogart and Bacall who was 19 at the time.