- Genre
- Crime
- Year
- 1949
- Runtime
- 1h30
0
The Crooked Way
Lost in shadows, haunted by a twisted past.
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Synopsis
The Crooked Way, a 1949 film noir directed by Robert Florey, stars John Payne as Alton Bennet, a man who returns to Los Angeles after spending five years as a prisoner of war in Korea. Struggling with amnesia, Alton attempts to piece together his past and quickly becomes entangled in a dangerous web of deception, crime, and untrustworthy characters. As he delves deeper, Alton confronts the darker aspects of his previous life and faces moral dilemmas that challenge his identity and determination. The film is notable for its atmospheric cinematography and classic noir elements, weaving a tense, suspenseful story set amidst the shadows of post-war America.
Cast
Reviews
The Crooked Way has received mixed to moderately positive reviews over the decades. On IMDb, the film holds a rating of 6.6/10, indicating generally favorable audience reception but with some reservations regarding its pacing and plot originality. Critics have praised John Payne's strong performance, highlighting his portrayal of a conflicted and haunted protagonist as a key strength. The film's moody black-and-white cinematography, characteristic of film noir, has also been commended for effectively setting the eerie and suspenseful tone. However, some reviewers note that the storyline, while engaging, follows familiar noir tropes and may feel predictable to some viewers. Rotten Tomatoes does not have an official critic score for the film due to its age, but user reviews on the platform similarly reflect appreciation for the film's atmosphere and acting, albeit sometimes critiquing its conventional narrative structure. Overall, The Crooked Way is regarded as a solid example of late-1940s film noir, valued for style and performance more than groundbreaking storytelling.
