Cúmplice das Sombras

Have seen a pattern in my recent classic film viewings. That being that many of them have been very good, if not quite outstanding, and interesting, with a lot of critical praise given to them but also not very well known today. Another pattern is high expectations, due to loving the genres and talented casts and crews. 'The Prowler' is another one of those films that had a promising premise and have liked Van Heflin in other things, his role here also sounded really intriguing.

'The Prowler' is mostly good with many truly great things, if not quite classic status. It does start out that way but it should have kept that all the way through. While it is understandable as to why it won't connect to some, the praise it has gotten here is every bit, perhaps even more, as understandable. While not loving 'The Prowler' and feeling that there are definitely better films in the genre, it is underseen and impresses in many ways.

It is very beautifully and atmospherically shot and tightly edited, although the sets are on the sparse side. While it is not exactly lavish or expensive-looking, 'The Prowler' also doesn't look cheap. The music looms ominously without being intrusive. Joseph Losey, have appreciated his output ever since his wonderful 'Don Giovanni', directs with a sure and stylish hand, that indicates somebody who knew what he was doing. The script on the most part is taut and intelligent, and it was amazing too at how daring and subversive it was for back then.

Did find the story engrossing on the whole, especially in the first half which is full of intrigue and suspenseful atmosphere. Especially the ending. The character writing fascinates, really liked its nuance and that it was not all black and white. Heflin is outstanding here, it's one of his best performances and he was seldom this nuanced and haunting. Evelyn Keyes doesn't look ill at ease, even with her suitably vulnerable body language and underplays beautifully yet also with the appropriate amount of steely edge. John Maxwell is rock solid support.

By all means, 'The Prowler' could have been better than it was. While Heflin and Keyes are spot on individually, the central chemistry felt on the bland and underdeveloped side. The ending aside, too much of the second half isn't quite as focused as the first, it loses tautness and parts do veer on implausible.

Also found myself frustrated by some of Keyes' character's behaviour and decisions, where they didn't make sense or seem silly.

Concluding, not a classic but recommended despite its unevenness. 7/10.

This is a really good and sadly overlooked film noir. No happy endings are to be found here, just good performances and writing and a close to perfect example of the film noir genre.

Van Heflin stars as a cop who is called to a woman's house to investigate a prowler outside of her window. He falls for the married woman and becomes a regular visitor at night while her husband is working as a DJ on the radio. After a few twists and turns, the two become entangled in a sordid affair. It all leads to some real nastiness and intrigue. I will not giveaway the story but it is a pretty good one. The ending was a bit disappointing but the cast is good.

In California, the gorgeous housewife Susan Gilvray (Evelyn Keyes) glances at a prowler outside her house in a wasteland and she calls the police. Officer Webb Garwood (Van Heflin) and his partner attend the call and do not find anyone. Later Webb returns to her house with the pretext of checking if everything is OK with Susan and she invites him to drink a coffee with her. Soon he learns that Susan is married with John Gilvray (Sherry Hall), a middle age broadcaster of a late night radio show. Further, they discover that they are from the same homeland. Webb hits on Susan and soon they have a love affair. But when John suspects of Susan, their relationship comes to an end.

Webb plots a scheme to get rid off John and he kills John simulating an accident. Webb goes on trial and is considered not-guilty for the murder of John. Webb quits the police and manipulates John's brother to get close to Susan again. He learns that John could not have children and their marriage was not perfect. Webb meets Susan and convinces her that he is really innocent. Soon they get married and they buy a motel to start a new life. But in the wedding night, Susan discloses that she is four months pregnant. How could they explain the baby to the press after the publicity around the case?

"The Prowler" is a great but unknown Film-Noir directed by Joseph Losey with a story of adultery and greed. Webb Garwood is a sordid frustrated man that manipulates the housewife Susan Gilvray, who has a loveless marriage without children with an older man, to marry him. The conclusion is moralist but does not spoil the story. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Cúmplice das Sombras" ("Accomplice of the Shadows")

One of the many great films noirs the director made in the fifties ,which would culminate in "time without pity" :and a very successful one, thanks to Van Heflin,who at first sight seems a helpful affable cop whereas he is actually a cupid embittered man:he was not given the chance to study at the university and he became a policeman by default.He must have gone through hard times :when the woman invites him for dinner ,he catches all that he can on his way to the dining room.

In its second part the movie recalls Fritz Lang's "You only live twice "(after "the prowler" ,Losey remade "M"),but with a big difference : Lang's heroes are both victims of an unfair society whereas Susan is completely innocent (as far as the crime is concerned)but her new husband is dangerous ,verging on paranoia (the scene when you hear the dead speak on the record is stunning).It's perhaps one of the rare movies in which a baby becomes a living threat.Even the wind ,in the shack -probably Victor Seastrom's silent movie influence- becomes an enemy .