Runtime: 88 minutes
Directed by: Edward Dmytryk
Starring: Arthur Franz, Adolphe Menjou, Gerald Mohr, Marie Windsor, Frank Faylen
From: Columbia
Well, this was chilling. For awhile now I’ve known of this film noir from Columbia; the plot is uncomfortably prescient to modern times. It was even more so once I viewed it on the Criterion Channel last night. Get this:
The movie’s focus is on the villain lead (Eddie Miller, played to a chilling degree by Arthur Franz) who is by modern terms an incel. He is angry due to his inability to get a girlfriend; this behavior began in his youth w/ a horrific attack on a woman. We see him deteriorate after getting rejected by “an unattainable female.” The deaths via sniper rifle of women becomes increasingly random.
Much to my amazement, in this piece of work from over 70 years ago, it noted that Miller realized he needed mental health help but no one was willing to help him. In addition, there is discussion over the need for money/effort needed to help those not well in the head, including sending them to what we call now “mental health facilities.” Can you see why I found this uncomfortably modern? It’s not hard to envision a modern retelling of this basic story.
Time is also spent w/ the San Francisco residents & their increasing panic over law enforcement’s lack of success in tracking down the killer. In addition, we do see law enforcement cracking the case via traditional investigative methods and narrowing down the suspects. Some elements are undoubtedly of their time; however, overall this is a strong noir even if you don’t consider how ahead of its time it felt in certain ways.
The Sniper should be of interest to those that have seen some famous film noir & now have the desire for a deeper dive. Furthermore, those that would get excited at the thought of cop Adolphe Menjou slapping a young punk around… viewing this would be your lucky day. A nice return to Hollywood for (unfortunately) blacklisted director Edward Dmytryk.
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