Conflitos d'Alma

Conflict (1945)

*** (out of 4)

Nice thriller about a husband (Humphrey Bogart) who murders his wife because he's in love with her younger sister (Alexis Smith). The husband is in a bad car wreck but he fakes how serious his injury is so he will have an alibi as to why he couldn't be the murderer but soon he starts seeing his wife and begins to fear he might not have killed her. I was pleasantly surprised to see how good this picture was even though some stronger direction would have helped matters. While watching the movie I was entertained every step of the way but at the same time I couldn't help but wonder what this would have been like with someone like Hitchcock behind the camera. What works best are the performances with Bogart leading the way and doing a very fine job in the role of the husband who slowly begins to crack once he realizes he might not have done a very good job in terms of his murder plot. Bogart manages to play the character's nerves quite well and makes the role very believable. Smith was also very good in her role bringing a certain type of innocence that really makes her register with the viewer. He own scenes of doubt over whether she should be falling for her sister's husband were well done. Sydney Greenstreet plays the friend/psychologist who tries to keep Bogart calm throughout the matter. Greenstreet's calm, nurturing voice certainly makes him perfect for the character. The screenplay also works very well as we're given two different mysteries to keep in our mind. The first being whether or not the wife is actually dead or is something more supernatural going on. The second is, if she's dead, will Bogie get away with it. This film really has a lot of elements of a horror film or at least the Val Lewton productions that were being made around this time. This film is quite dark and really fits into that genre so fans of the Lewton films will certainly want to check this out.

Sidney Greenstreet was only in motion pictures for nine years, but he left a mark as large as his physical presence. He was lucky to be taken through his initial appearance in films (he was past 60)by one of the great modern film directors (John Huston). And after THE MALTESE FALCON he was lucky enough to appear in a second film by Huston (ACROSS THE PACIFIC) co-starring his "Maltese Falcon" friends Bogart and Mary Astor. With that build-up he was set. Unfortunately, he also had been set in the role of villain, and for as long as he was connected to Warners Brothers (which was most of his whole career) he was usually playing villains. There would be exceptions: He was in comedies like CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT, THE HUCKSTERS, PILLOW TO POST. But most of his films were dramatic, with him playing the villains. Sometimes his villains were sympathetic, or the type the audience secretly cheered on (his Superintendent Grodman avenges himself and a wrongly hanged man in the course of the film THE VERDICT). Sometimes he destroyed a truly evil figure (usually Zachary Scott), like in THE MASK OF DEMETRIOS.

Because of THE MALTESE FALCON and the Warner Brothers connection, Greenstreet and Bogart found themselves teamed together, frequently with Peter Lorre or Mary Astor in these films as well. In most of them Greenstreet played a villain or a semi-sinister figure (his role in Casablanca is not a total villain in the film). But CONFLICT is a real exception. It was the only time Greenstreet and Bogart were in a film together and Bogart is the villain, while Greenstreet is the man who solves the murder. It is good reverse casting (reminding us that Bogart's period as a supporting actor in the 1930s was one where he played villains against Edward G. Robinson or James Cagney). Greenstreet is excellent as the the man who uses psychological warfare to crack the killer's conscience. And it is so subtly done we never know what was the cause of Greenstreet's discovery of the truth - it all comes down to an issue of horticulture...so to speak.

This may not be one of Bogart's best, in fact not even close to his best....but his pairing with Sidney Greenstreet makes it worth watching. There is something magical about the manner in which these two actors mesh that is seldom seen in film. Bogart is Bogart, always the tight lipped hero or villain with the clipped speech and slight chip on his shoulder. Greenstreet is the jolly fat man who hides behind that facade, either evil or cunning or both. Two actors with different personas which play perfectly against each other. They are seldom on the same side and although initially, in this film, they appear to be, the tables turn as the film progresses. The story is not a new one....man kills wife...or so he thinks....is she dead or isn't she? The ending is fairly predictable but it still holds your interest. Alexis Smith, as the target of Bogart's affections, is tall, coldly beautiful and rather detached....she does not seem vulnerable enough and can't seem to make up her mind about her feelings for Bogart's character. Watch this film for the exchanges between Bogart and Greenstreet...that's what it is all about. They make the rest of it worthwhile.

Film-noirs/mysteries have always fascinated me, and there are numerous good films to classics. Ones that are impeccably made, tautly scripted, well acted, entertaining and suspenseful. Another interest point is the always seldom less than watchable Humphrey Bogart, one of film's most iconic stars (and deservedly too), evident in particularly one of the greatest screen performances in 'Casablanca'. Sydney Greenstreet is also always dependable and a bright spot in much of his work.

Would never have heard of 'Conflict' if it had not appeared in my recommended for you section, and although it is not a great film as such there are no regrets having watched it. It's good fun and has an appropriate darkness and engrosses, even if it doesn't surprise. It has been compared here to 'The Two Mrs Carrolls', a relatively similar film made in the same period and also starring Bogart, and can see why. Do agree though that this is the much better film, having not cared for the rather bizarre 'The Two Mrs Carrolls'.

Bogart holds 'Conflict' together with ease and intensity and the main reason to see it, the role suits him very well even if it's not one of his best. Greenstreet is every bit as great, subtle and also typically imperious. The exchanges between them blister, with them gelling so well despite being polar opposites. The film is nicely directed and never felt dull. The music serves its purpose well.

'Conflict' is a good looking film, with suitably brooding and stylish photography in particular. The script is taut enough and while the story is flawed it has two diverting enough mysteries that keeps one on their toes, a nice dark tension in its mood and a few suitably unsettling sequences.

Some suspension of disbelief is needed though, as the film does get contrived and silly at times, and neither mystery has enough surprises. The conclusion especially is very obvious and also felt anti-climactic.

Also felt to a lesser extent felt that Alexis Smith came over as rather detached in her role.

In conclusion, good fun and fans of Bogart should find enough to enjoy. 7/10

Conflict stars Humphrey Bogart as architect Richard Mason, not in love with his wife (Rose Hobart) and infatuated with her sister Alexis (Evelyn Turner) Events soon take a sinister turn, when Richard hatches a plot to murder his wife on a remote mountain road. Just when he thinks he has committed the perfect crime, things start to happen which plant seeds of doubt in his mind.

Sydney Greenstreet gives a fine performance as a psychologist friend of the Masons who offers useful insights into the criminal mind and gives you food for thought as he voices his opinion on the human psyche.

With good performances all round, this is an atmospheric mystery which will keep you guessing to the end.