theowinthrop

(2012-04-22 14:56:42)

The Boy Who Cried "Murder!"

The story of the fall of the career of Bobby Driscoll sort of puts adowner effect on all of his films. In the late 1940s and early 1950sDriscoll had a remarkably effective movie career, including thestarring role in this classic film noir and roles in TREASURE ISLANDand LONG JOHN SILVER with Robert Newton, and the voice of PETER PAN inthe Disney cartoon. His drug addiction and lonely death were a tragicwaste of a talented actor.THE WINDOW is one of those unexpected classic films that were madewithout vast publicity campaigns or expense, with a simple and goodcast involved, and a good script. It also has a classic pedigree, goingback to the fables of Aesop. It is a variant on the story of the boythat cried wolf.Driscoll plays a lively little boy with a vivid imagination. Hisparents (Arthur Kennedy and Barbara Hale) are living in a lower class -working class district in a city. Kennedy has a job that takes him outof the house at night. In fact, this is a film that clings to thenight.Driscoll happens to tell a whopper of a lie, and it blows up in hisface because it embarrasses his parents. So his reputation for tellingthe truth has been compromised. While sleeping on the fire estate ofhis home at night, he faces the apartment of Paul Stewart and his wifeRuth Roman. Stewart has a business associate over at his apartment,gets into a quarrel, and kills the associate. Unfortunately, Driscollsees this - but equally unfortunate Stewart sees that Driscollwitnessed it. So follows a long, involved cat and mouse game, with Stewart coveringup traces of the murder (with Roman's assistance), and at the same timedoing everything he can to dismiss Driscoll's claims of the murder asjust his silly over-imagination again. As Kennedy and Hale arehalf-inclined to believe this, they too refuse to listen to Driscoll'sarguments. But Stewart is also aware that at some point, somebody mightjust decide to double check Driscoll's stories, especially if heremains so insistent that he is not lying. So Stewart has to find theright moment to grab this annoying kid, and get rid of the onlywitness.There are problems though. Driscoll's youth also means he is moreenergetic and physically adept than Stewart. Also, although Roman ishelping her husband she is not really keen about killing a little boy.Finally there is also the fact that, although they strongly doubtDriscoll's story, Kennedy and Hale love their son, and think he's atroubled little boy. Soon Kennedy's actions are gumming up Stewart'splanning as well.Besides Driscoll's performance, Stewart gave one of his best villainsin the film, being plausible on the surface, but as deadly inintentions as they come. Kennedy's father is a hard working man,struggling for a better life for his family, and tired of his son'stall tales. But at the right moment he does start wondering if he'sbeen just too complacent about his son's "lying".The conclusion is a tense and exciting fight between Stewart andDriscoll in a deserted building. It is a first rate conclusion to thisfascinating and scary film which makes us wonder how seriously do weever take our kids, and in what ways do we show it.

(2012-04-22 11:57:05)

Finally The Window on DVD

This review is from: The Window [Remaster] (DVD) I have watched this movie on TV quite a few times and This is one of my favorite movies. Bobby Driscoll is great in this movie. Its about a little boy who witnessess a murder through The Window. He tells his mother and the police who do not believe him only the killers. If you like suspense this movie is a must. Great Film and Highly recommened.

yarborough

(2012-04-17 07:39:26)

A Ridiculous Movie. This is no classic.

I am a huge classic film buff, especially of the film noirs, but I haveto say that this 1949 "thriller" is an absolute disgrace. I becameinterested in seeing the movie because it was made in the 1940s,because it starred two beautiful actresses (Barbara Hale and RuthRoman) and because it features a colorful character actor, PaulStewart. But I was incredibly disappointed at what I saw. The storykicks off with a little boy (Bobby Driscoll) witnessing a murder but,because of the exaggerated stories he always tells, not being able toconvince anyone (including his parents) of it. The movie goes to greatlengths to show us how badly no one will believe the boy, and thekillers even know that no one will believe the boy, and the kid doesn'thave a shred of evidence on the killers, but guess what idiotic,brainless, stupid thing the killers decide to do. They try to kidnapthe boy!!! And the kidnap attempt is probably the clumsiest one everfilmed for the cinema!!! This is an example of a forced story that isso ridiculous it is beyond logic. And on top of all this, Barbara Halelooks so drab and dull in this movie that she didn't even make it worthseeing. Ignore this one.

Atreyu_II

(2012-04-16 13:12:59)

A brilliant film

This film is a masterpiece. It's one of the best movies of all times.It might be very old and in black and white, but I don't care and thatfact doesn't bother me at all - it makes perfect sense, considering thegeneration it is from. It's an excellent piece of cinema, appreciate itfor what it is without thinking about its age. Plus, a movie in blackand white is an art form, no matter how "primitive" it might be. Manytimes the most simple things are the best and this very interestingmotion picture is a very good example of this.This film is simple yet masterfully done. The plot is simple, easy tounderstand yet unpredictable and there isn't a single boring moment.The movie is visually simple yet visually fascinating at the same time.It's a suspense noir film, carefully made even in details. The pace issimply perfect. They don't make movies of this quality anymore.This is a RKO Pictures's production. All actors are great in theirroles, but Bobby Driscoll steals the show. He is simply superb. Infact, Driscoll's extraordinary performance as Tommy Woodry earned him awell deserved special Academy Award as the outstanding juvenile actor.Bobby Driscoll does incredible things in this film. He climbs up thebuilding's fire escape, runs entire floors (up and down), runs in NewYork streets... all stuff that require not only agility but also goodphysical shape. Plus, the character he portrays is the perfect exampleof someone who is being sincere but nobody believes because of hishabit of making up fantasious stories (although he doesn't do for bad).His eyes are very expressive, as well as his expressions. Bobby Driscoll's cuteness and charm matches the character he portrays:a lively, nice and adorable kid. We really feel bad for his character.He knows the truth about the homicide he witnessed (commited by theKellersons, his upstairs neighbors) and desperately tries to makepeople believe and no one does, not even the police. To make mattersworse, the poor kid is accused of being a liar and even forced toapologize the murderers, locked and left all alone at home (despitebegging many times not to be left alone), punished, every time he triesto do something things only get worse for him and ends up at the mercyof the killers. All of this makes his good parents seem almost as evilas the Kellersons. As for the police, it surprises me how incompetentand ignorant they are. In fact, the movie is very tense, dark, thrilling, intense and creepy.It's a fascinating movie experience. There are some terrifying momentscombined with small but significant details that makes them deliciouslymore sinister.A particularly frightening moment is when the criminals take Tommy in ataxicab and the kid screams in despair to the taxidriver (who doesn'thear and is unaware of what's going on) and to a police officer (who isfooled by the murderers - they pretend to be Tommy's parents and makethe policeman believe that the kid is paranoid). And then theKellersons punch him in the face and put him to sleep withchloroform... and their cruel intentions after that. The final minutesare also extremely tense and a producer of nerves. The movie is quite short. The only repair it'd deserve is a wee bitlarger ending and not so rushed as it is. But that is just a minordetail, the movie is perfect the way it is and takes many elements fromAlfred Hitchcock's work. And I love the look of NY in the 40's and allthose details showing the city's daily life, such as the Subway trains.The music of the film is marvelous, perfect for it. Bobby Driscoll is so amazing in this film that it makes me feel evenmore sorry for the disgrace his life became later. It's stupid that hewas fired just because of acne and just because he reached the curse ofgrowing up. His film career ended way too soon, in a time when he wasso young and talented and still had so much to give. Plus, he did somuch for Disney that he didn't deserve to be treated this way.This should definitely be on Top 250.

(2012-04-14 11:22:36)

Postwar Urban Fable

The Window is a Noirish take on The Boy Who Cried Wolf, supurbly acted by a terrific cast. It's also a great document of the urban decay that took place in America's cities during the Depression and World War II immediately before widespread suburbanization. It's simply inexcusable that this stunning film isn't currently available on DVD in the US.

ccthemovieman-1

(2012-04-14 01:19:12)

Driscoll Delivers

Bobby Driscoll is not a name familiar to most people, unless they aredie-hard classic movie fans. Driscoll's career was short, but thatwasn't because he couldn't act. This movie shows his talents as a youngboy who cries wolf and then pays for it, big-time.The first 40 minutes of this film deals with that "wolf" angle. It goesa bit too long and begins to drag the story down a bit, but stay withit. Once the killers come looking for the boy (Driscoll), the filmsuddenly becomes extremely tense. In fact, the tension is so strong thelast 30 minutes that there are scenes you almost can't bear to watch.Story-wise, there are some credibility questions, mainly "Why wouldgood parents - as portrayed here by Barbara Hale and Arthur Kennedy -leave their 10-year-old all alone all night?" But, ignoring that, thefilm is entertaining and has a good ending, so I have no complaints.Driscoll does a fine job of acting, as mentioned, and Hale becamefamous for being Perry Mason's secretary on television. Kennedy isalways interesting no matter what film he is in, and Paul Stewart iseffective as the villain.As of this writing, the VHS tape is out-of-print, and there is no DVDavailable yet, sad to say. Hopefully, that oversight will be correctedsoon. This film is a valuable part of anyone's film noir collection.

(2012-04-04 19:17:02)

The Window

This review is from: The Window [Remaster] (DVD) "The Window" was made in 1949 and is a movie gem.'Thrills and Chills' proclaim the movie posters of the day butthat would be the understatement of the year.This movie makes Alfed Hitchcock's classic "Rear Window" look like an amateur piece of work. "The Window" is riveting stuff and isentertainment at its very best. It is nerve wrenching and totallyabsorbing from beginning to end.The movie stars popular child star Bobby Driscoll who at the timewas under contract to the Walt Disney Studios. He was loaned out to R-K-O Radio to play the part of Tommy Woodry which was a major rolein the movie. Tommy, who lives with his mother and father in an old apartmentbuilding in the city, witnesses a murder in an adjoining apartment.Unfortunately, Tommy has an over-active imagination and tells tallstories, so no one believes him.The couple who carried out the murder eventually come to theconclusion that Tommy witnessed the murder whilst on the fire escape outside their apartment and begin to formulate plans to shut him up get rid of him. The pair stalk Tommy in a menacing way so much sothat it sends shivers up and down your spine.The parents who still don't believe his story leave Tommy (underprotest) in the apartment alone for long periods of time to faceimpending disaster.What an incredible young actor is Bobby Driscoll who has the abilityto convey to the audience the fear and panic that he is experiencing.This is Bobby Driscoll's picture. You can be certain of that and for the role he played in this movie, Bobby Driscoll won a Special AcademyAward at the 1949 Academy Awards presentation as the ouitstandingjuvenile actor of 1949.Very highly recommended. Prepare to be shocked and youwon't be disappointed. It is a masterpiece of suspense.

sapblatt

(2012-04-04 10:16:09)

Top flight film noir

While 1949s "The Window" may not be a noir classic many have heard about Istrongly recommend seeing it if you can find it. (It is occasionally onTCM,but it is not currently available on DVD or VHS.)The film stars child protege Bobby Driscoll ("Song's of the South" "PeterPan") as a young boy who is living the Aesopian nightmare of "The Boy WhoCried Wolf." His parents are portrayed the ever capable Arthur Kennedy("Champion" "High Sierra") and Barbara Hale ("Perry Mason.") After the boywitnesses a murder his parents and the foolish police department refuse tobeleive him until it is almost too late.The murderers are also well-played by veterans Paul Stewart and Ruth Roman(who also were in 1949s "Champion" with Arthur Kennedy and Kirk Douglas.)The husband and wife would have gotten away with murder if at not been forthe young boy, . The ensuing chase and scary finale are very well done.Thepolice in this movie were so ignorant you would wonder if they did notinspire the moron cop, Officer Barbrady on "South Park."This fine film was actually considered to be a throwaway "B" movie. Itturned out to be quite popular even though it only runs for 73 minutes.Theyoung actor, Bobby Driscoll received a special Oscar for his work in 1949but soon found his acting career drying up as he aged and his life endedtragically from drug related issues in 1968 at the age of31.

Chris Gaskin

(2012-03-27 17:27:46)

"This story is not a lie"

I have recently watched The Window for the first time and found it verysuspenseful and gripping.A 9 year old boy, Tommy, is noted for telling tales. So one hot night,he decides to sleep on the fire escape to be cooler and then witnessesthe neighbours murdering a man and then hide his corpse. When he tellshis parents, they don't believe him and nor do the police when he goesto report the crime at the local police station. When Tommy is lefthome alone another evening, the Kellersons break into the flat and tryto silence him. While running away from them, stairs collapse whichleaves Tommy hanging from a beam and Mr Kellerson dead under a load ofrubble...The New York locations make the movie atmospheric. This was filmed in arun down part of the city and you often see Subway trains passing.The movie has an excellent cast: Booby Driscoll (Treasure Island)playing the part of Tommy brilliantly and the rest of the cast includesArthur Kennedy and Barbara Hale as his parents and Ruth Roman and PaulStewart as the murderers Mr and Mrs Kellerson.The window is a must see. Fantastic.Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

moonspinner55

(2012-03-27 06:40:55)

A near-miss, aided by young Driscoll's work...

Bobby Driscoll, a child actor par excellence, lends a good deal ofbelievability to this familiar and predictable plot concerning animaginative youngster who can't get anyone to believe his tale aboutbeing the only witness to a murder. This "Boy Who Cried Wolf" in moderndress (from a story by Cornell Woolrich!) needed a stronger, perhapsmulti-layered approach; it is far too straightforward and square, andthe audience is always two steps ahead of the action. The adultcharacters are exasperating and foolish, though Driscoll's groundedpresence is just what this scenario requires (he won a highly-deservedJuvenile Oscar for his work). Vivid black-and-white cinematography byRobert De Grasse and William Steiner also deserves praise, though thefilm isn't a noir. It's a family picture on a low-budget, aimed at themass market. Overall results are decent, but certainly not superior.**1/2 from ****

bts1984

(2012-03-19 03:43:30)

American masterpiece

This may be a small movie, but it offers a lot during its less than 75minutes long. This is one of the finest films ever.This preciousness of cinema deals with the old thematic that we mustnever lie, otherwise we may be telling the truth one day and nobodywill believe us. That's precisely what happens to our Tommy Woodry, avery cute and harmless child with the habit of crying wolf (perhapsbecause he feels bored?). There's no denying that Tommy has a very bigimagination: the story that he's gonna buy himself a horse, that he'sgonna move to a ranch out west but not before shooting indians. Tommy'stall tales put a grin on my face.Tommy's lies take his parents to despair. When he witnesses theKellersons committing a crime, he can't manage to get anyone to believehim. No matter how hard he tries, he can't change his parents's minds.Even the police is reluctant: they believe him at first but they stopdoing so the moment Tommy's mother tells about his reputation as anative story teller.Although it's understandable that his parents won't believe him, theytake such drastic measures on Tommy that they fail miserably to protecthim. As for the police, they play in a situation when Tommy is at thehands of the criminals, also failing miserably to protect him. All ofthis makes you completely hate Tommy's parents and the police. Tommylives this urban nightmare all alone and cannot count on anyone to helphim but himself.Even so, there is nothing I would really change in this movie in anyway, except perhaps a slightly longer length. Nevertheless, it's simplyflawless. The plot is excellent, the characters are believable, all theactors are superb, the music is dramatic and adds emotion, the 1940'sNYC scenario is amazing and the film is very tense and feelshitchcockian. The pace is always brilliant, both when the movie is morecalm and when it is frightening, intense and suspenseful.A very interesting and fascinating movie. And to think that RKO bossHoward Hughes didn't want to give it a chance at first! We would havelost this pearl of cinema...Bobby Driscoll is fantastic as Tommy Woodry. Although he was a Disneyactor, he was "loaned" to RKO Pictures for this timeless classic. Avery clever decision, as he was a wonderful actor. I hope he's not justremembered for his work at Disney but also for this noir classic.Title in Portugal: 'O Que Viram os Meus Olhos'.

dougdoepke

(2012-03-18 16:02:41)

Neo-Realism Meets Noir

A little boy learns the value of truth-telling in white-knuckle,claustrophobic fashion— a memorably done movie in all departments. Noneed to dwell here on the consensus strong points.Seeing this taut little thriller in a small western town when I was 10not only scared the heck out of me, but influenced my perception ofurban life for years to come. Seeing the film again 60 years later, I'mimpressed with producer Dore Schary's insistence on the grimness of thetenements, at least by later suburban standards. There's no attempt toglamorize or even varnish the family's dingy, cramped flat. Whether onNY location or on an RKO sound stage, the lighting remains dark andoppressive. Of course, that not only heightens the nourish atmosphere,but also lends an uncommon degree of realism to the family's working-class environment. After all, Dad works the nightshift, while Mom helpswith the extended family, leaving little Tommy home alone. And that, Ibelieve, amounts to more than just a handy plot device. And get a loadof the on-location ruins where the kids play at the beginning—lookslike something out of post-war Europe. No wonder MGM went after Scharyin an effort to become more socially relevant in post-Andy HardyAmerica. There may be a lot of Hollywood in the melodrama itself, butthe look and feel is definitely not Hollywood of the time. What a finelittle film that's still edge-of-the-seat excitement. And, if I recallcorrectly, I was an especially good little boy for a long timeafterward.

k-thomas

(2012-03-16 09:36:39)

A very good thriller.

I watched this film for the first time on BBC at 2 this morning and wasvery impressed. Some very fine acting by all the cast and and a goodbelievable, terrifying story. Hollywood should have a good look atthese old RKO movies and see how superior they are to the rubbish thatis being dished out today. Bobby Driscol played an excellent role asthe young boy and it was nice to see Arther Kennedy play a good guy.The black and white photography added to the suspense. Of course inlatter years, there have been similar stories filmed, for example, EyeWitness with Mark Lester and Susan George and Witness with HarrisonFord. All very good in their own right. A must for fans of a good oldfashioned thriller. Kevin Thomas.

vitaleralphlouis

(2012-03-16 02:06:25)

Excellent, Crisp Thriller -- Best You'll Ever See -- or Not See.

THE WINDOW does everything right, from the solid direction, to theoutstanding production design, on-location sets, cinematography --- andwonderful acting particularly by Bobby Driscoll. It takes you insidethe New York tenements like no other picture except maybe Angels WithDirty Faces. The filmmakers have a perfect grasp on the actions ofchildren --- what they'll do and what they won't. The musical score isrestrained like you'll never see today, nor will you anymore see amovie end after 72 minutes simply because the story's over.This was working class New York 15 years before the corruption of drugsbrought an era of unrestrained crime, strikes, garbage, and the exit of1 million of its population -- mostly the middle class. For 30 yearsfrom 1960 to 1990 New Yorkers lived their lives not only in fear butknowing their lives tomorrow would be worse than today.They didn't know this in 1949, but you need to know it to understandthat tenement apartments were locked only with 10 cent skeleton keys,windows were open, and people didn't fear their neighbors (as only afew were murderers). In 1949 most well healed middle class peopledidn't have a window-fan --- let alone air conditioning. It was HOT inthe summer. Sleeping on the fire escape -- as Bobby Driscoll does inthis story -- was not unusual. There was no fear in 1949 of childmolesters, as any such person would be torn to shreds by theneighborhood. The local-color of New York was 100% on target in thisfilm.I was 11 years old the last time I saw THE WINDOW. Since VHS, it's beenon my Most Wanted list for years. Never on eBay, I finally found a rareVHS for rent today. The film greatly exceeds my memory of it. I ratedit a "10" and would like to explain this is an old fashionedwork-hard-for-it "10." These days every parent I know has an honorstudent for a child. All it takes for an A is having a pulse.Similarly, any current movie regardless of quality will get a fewthousand 10's. Pictures like VACANCY are both scary and entertaining,but they cheat to create the thrills. THE WINDOW relies on a plausiblestory, and that's the virtue.

Martin Teller

(2012-03-09 08:41:59)

The Window (1949)

Opening with a quote from Aesop, this movie is about a little lad whotells so many stories that no one believes him when he witnesses a realmurder. It takes an awful lot for me to forgive a film that centersaround a child, especially an obnoxious one like this. The very similarTALK ABOUT A STRANGER couldn't do it, despite the talents of JohnAlton. I hated young Bobby Driscoll throughout the picture and he'sundoubtedly its weakest link. His pouting and whining and "golly gee"demeanor are very grating. But director Ted Tetzlaff otherwise deliversa stunning noir. The photography is amazing, capturing the grittiness,desperation and danger of the urban setting beautifully. The script issolid, building tension at a steady pace, culminating in a lengthy andgripping chase sequence through a decrepit abandoned building. Tetzlaffclearly learned something about suspense as the cinematographer onNOTORIOUS. A great film with a lousy protagonist.

l.boots

(2012-03-09 04:40:03)

A Thrill a Minute! Film Noir at its' BEST!

I first saw this film when I was ten. The same age as the terrified youngstar "Tommy" of the film. I sat on the edge of my seat, glued to the screenas every second of suspense ticked away. A masterpiece to rival even thebest of the great Hitchcock Thrillers! I have never seen it released onvideo, but would be the first to run out and buy it. If it turns up on AMC,DON'T MISS IT!

skyhouse5

(2012-03-07 02:22:23)

An authentic "sleeper" of a finely crafted movie . . .

Not only do I remember this little wonder of a movie, if memory serves,I think I gave it a "rave" in the L.A. Daily News way way back then.And if I didn't, it would only be because first-string critic VirginiaWright had the privilege. It wasn't so much a "noir" flick as it was astraight-on suspense effort. The climactic chase scene in the derelicttenement is one for the books. Speaking of which, I just tried tolocate IMDb references to French film director Charles David, whomUniversal imported to direct a Deanna Durbin vehicle, and whom shemarried and followed to Paris? Whatever, David also directed a minor Beffort while at Universal, titled either "River Pirates" or "River . .. " something. But, again, no luck. Not surprising, considering theliteral thousands of titles, but I had expected to find SOME referencevia Durbin. Sigh.

ivan-22

(2012-03-06 11:05:19)

The ultimate window

Forget "Rear Window". This is he ultimate window movie. The plot is a bitcontrived and manipulative and somewhat unsavory, as in all thrillers, butthe esthetics of the film, the grim tenement environment is a real treat. Ireact more to the esthetic element than the dramatic per se. Whereas thisgreat film is intimate, moody, subdued and modest, "Rear Window" throwsstars, light and colors at you in a sad display of artistic insecurity.Bobby Driscoll and the other cast members are very good, which isn'tsurprising, as good movies tend to inspire good acting. I first saw it as akid, and although I had trouble understanding the plot, I knew it was anexceptional film.

(2012-03-06 03:51:45)

Now it's down to this?

The movie is excellent. No issues there. And yes, this is the place to write what I am writing. Companies are now reverting to "on-demand" movies that are tranfered onto cheap dvd-r discs? Not only that but they're charging twice the price? This business has always been fraught with shady dealings and ripping off customers has long been the policies of the movie and music industry. Why do you think that it's in the state it's in? Now we are down to this grease-ball tactic. Here's a message to everyone who's making money off this; stick the movies in your personal little studio located below your back. People can watch movies free online now so I hope you bury yourselves even further than you already have by ripping people off. Oh and by the way, there's nothing "remastered" about this edition. It's a plain tranfer to disc.

MARIO GAUCI

(2012-03-05 23:56:10)

THE WINDOW (Ted Tetzlaff, 1949) ***1/2

This classic noir about a boy’s lying ways catching up with him haslost some of the edge it once possessed with the years (due to itslow-key nature, but also a plethora of imitations); however, it remainsa satisfying and very well-made ‘B’ movie – despite the simplisticattitudes displayed by some of the characters involved.Bobby Driscoll is impressive in the leading role, and deservedly won aSpecial Oscar for his performance; his parents, then, are played byBarbara Hale and Arthur Kennedy. The boy witnesses a murder from thefire-escape of his tenement building one night, but nobody believeshim…except that the couple responsible (Paul Stewart and Ruth Roman,who are both excellent here) can’t take any chances and decide tosilence him for good! As I said, some of the situations defycredibility – though one has to take into account the fact that it wasmade in more innocent times: okay, so the boy tends to allow hisimagination to get the better of him…but his parents’ blind trust intheir neighbors, the Police’s apparent unwillingness to act, or themere notion that people living in an apartment building would own apasskey seems a bit much! With this in mind, the second half makes amends with a number of solidsuspense touches (often tinged with irony) – such as the incident whena letter arrives necessitating Hale’s absence from the house, whichwould leave Driscoll all alone (since Kennedy works nights): the boybelieves it to have been sent expressly by the villains, but it turnsout to be genuine. Similarly, at his wits’ end, the boy decides to runaway but soon after hears a key turning in the lock of their front door– fully expecting Stewart to appear, the caller emerges to be his ownfather who was worried about the boy and has come home to literally barDriscoll inside his room!; then, when the neighbor really does show up,he even helps him (unbeknownst to the boy) to come out ofconfinement…so that he can deal with him! After a near-escape for thevillains when Driscoll causes a commotion in a cab with a policeofficer looking on, the plot resolves itself in a hair-raising chaseinside a condemned building (where the murderous couple had previouslyconveniently hidden the body).To be honest, I prefer the fatalistic and denser approach to the genre– but this nevertheless is given a real shot in the arm by itsremarkable New York locations (having been a cinematographer, directorTetzlaff displays an enviable eye for detail throughout)…not to mentionthe fact that its depiction of life-threatening goings-on behind closeddoors resonated with me personally due to a recent tragedy.