To me, the scenes between both of them were the most fascinating. Both have nowhere to go or fit in and they both plenty of desires and hopes. The character arcs of both Robinson's Johnny Rocco and Bogart's Frank Mcloud are interestingly paralleled. It's difficult to make an action film with plenty of vivacious settings to be engaging for 90 minutes but Key Largo manages to it with one hotel, that's impressive. With a setting that sticks to the confinement of the hotel for 90% of the film, I can't speak highly enough of the directing and acting. In all seriousness, Key Largo is a really good film. A hurricane and a bunch of gangsters? The only actor qualified for such circumstances has to be the one and only Humphrey Bogart. I love how there is never any real assurance from the writing or direction that this film will be a happy ending, which makes it such a great noir. The premise itself thrives as a stage production by it also manages to give us an engaging and thrilling cinematic experience as well. The film delves into a man's (Bogart) post World War II trip to his friends hotel when they are stranded with a bunch of gangsters during a hurricane. Between this, You Can't Take it With You, and It's a Wonderful Life, he has gave me some of the most enjoyable movie experiences, so thank you Mr. Trevor won the Oscar for supporting actress and she's incredible, but Barrymore never fails to amaze me in a wheelchair. It helps that Key Largo is based on a play which gives the actors plenty of room to thrive in this crime drama film noir. Robinson, and Claire Trevor round out a tremendously talented cast. Key Largo re-teamed Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall for the 4th and final time and it is yet another gem in their resumes. While Key Largo is in most ways a lighter noir, it still creates a great amount dread and ominous situations, all a tribute to John Huston's wonderful direction here. What's so great about Film-noir's is that they thrust the audience into uncomfortable and alienating situations. A testament to all of those involved in the film. Key largo is one for the ages, a great noir piece that paces great with wonderful acting. Huston plays this card, but doesn't over play it, a great move by a master. And yes, the hurricane represents a huge character in the film is the boss over all that it surveys. There is a sense of claustrophobia when the film begins, that opens up as the film rolls on right along as Johnny Rocco loses control of the situation. Key Largo is a movie that builds onto itself, with a kind of snowball effect that compounds itself as the film goes on. He's great in the role and plays it over the top when needed, but still has the ability to tone it down when the situation requires. Robinson playing an egocentric gangster is his calling card. Other circumstances may allow it, but not this set. There's too much going on for this people to become romantic. There is an attraction between McCloud and Nora (Bacall, the groomless fiancé), but nothing really comes to fruition due to the situation they're in, giving us believably that wasn't seen in films of this era. He's not looking for trouble, but is prepared to deal with it if necessary. Bogart is the reluctant hero, beaten down by the war and the post war world that wanders into this situation by accident. The film has a deep noir feel, yet it transplants itself from the typical locale of seedy neighborhoods of the inner cities to what was a more quiet area that becomes isolated even further by the hurricane hitting. Whenever you get John Huston and Humphrey Bogart together you're going to get something special and Key Largo isn't any different. Add into this the hurricane that will be making a direct hit on the south Florida island. Robinson) has holed up the hotel run by the family, waiting to sneak back into the country after being deported. Problems arise when the gangster Johnny Rocco (Edward G. Key Largo is a film noir piece set in the Florida Keys where Frank McCloud (Humphrey Bogart) arrives to visit the family of a fellow soldier that died during the war (Lionel Berrymore and Lauren Bacall).
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