|
| . |
|
To Have and Have Not 1944 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Howard Hawks
NR, 100 min. |
 |
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Walter Brennan, Dolores Moran, Hoagy Carmichael, Sheldon Leonard, Walter Szurovy, Marcel Dalio, Walter Sande, Dan Seymour
Producer: Howard Hawks
Screenplay: Jules Furthman, William Faulkner
Cinematography: Sidney Hickox
Distributor: Warner Brothers
Released: 10.11.44 (Wide) |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
Despite its similarities with Casablanca, To Have and Have Not can stand on its own as a classic film. As good as Humphrey
Bogart and Ingrid Bergman were in Casablanca, it doesn't match the chemistry between Bogart and 19-year-old newcomer
Lauren Bacall in this film. The stunning debut for Bacall would mark the beginning of a long career that has spanned six
decades. Bogart and Bacall's chemistry on screen was helped by their off-screen relationship, where they were married shortly
after the filming of To Have and Have Not. They were teamed together again in The Big Sleep two years later in 1946,
which is also considered one of the best films for both actors. The two fed off each others' wit and dialogue, with the obvious
underlying sexual tension brimming to the surface on several occasions. Although their chemistry is the obvious strength of
the film, the storyline and supporting characters are also strong.
The movie takes place in WWII Martinique, an island in the Caribbean, shortly after the fall of France to Germany. A conflict
between the German controlled government and French resistance fighters is the backdrop to the story. An American
boat captain, Harry Morgan (Bogart), and his amiable but drunken companion, Eddie (Walter Brennan), are entertaining tourists
who want to sports fish or take tours of the island. Morgan lives in a hotel in town, where he meets a young pickpocket named
Marie (Bacall), who he calls "Slim." He is instantly intrigued by Slim and pursues her to see why she is stealing from people.
Slim is just passing through, looking for an escape from the world she left behind. The chemistry between them is evident
in their first scene together when she gives the famous line, "Just put your lips together and blow." Harry realizes he has
met his match in Slim, and is determined to look out for her while she is there. Soon Harry becomes involved in the French
resistance when he takes a job to smuggle two of their operatives into the city. The Vichy-controlled police begin to investigate
him, and he must eventually decide whether or not to get involved.
The real story is the relationships Harry has with Slim and his companion Eddie. Although the chemistry between Harry and
Slim is obvious, there is another interesting relationship between Harry and Eddie. Eddie is a drunk, and Harry continually funds
his alcoholism, even when it may seem better to let him sober up. But Harry has compassion for Eddie because of his
talent for recognizing good character in others.
It's really rewarding to watch two talented actors play off each other as Bogart and Bacall demonstrate. They are a match for
each other both on and off the screen. In several scenes, the tension between the two is almost unbearable, only to be offset
by the few kisses that are shown. Notice the stances of the characters, the lighting, the cigarette smoke - all elements to
build the sexual tension even further. By the time the end of the film comes, you are ready for the rewarding conclusion.
Some critics feel that To Have and Have Not is not at the level of some of the other classic films in the 1940s. But this film
is comparable to many of those great films - in fact, if Casablanca had never been filmed, this may have been the film that
everyone still talks about today. And it would be difficult to find any better chemistry than what is on display here between
Bogart and Bacall. There are very few movies that I have enjoyed more than To Have and Have Not, and that's why it must
be considered one of my favorite films.
© 2001 Jonathan Cornwell
|
|
 |
 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
© 2000 - present ReelCriticReviews
All movie pictures are registered trademarks and/or copyrights of their respective holders
Their use on this site is for informational purposes only and does not imply ownership
|
