The Killing (1956)
Women are treacherous dogs of greed and deception, the life of a criminal is a lonely escapade of constant and false renewal, and airports are terrible when you are attempting a quick getaway. These are the cold, hard lessons of Stanely Kubrick’s classic caper “The Killing”. Time, date, and cruel persona are tossed about this noir tale of robbing horseraces, yet a stirring climax to a violent whirlwind and the non-linear chronology make this Kubrick’s first great film(considering the somewhat amateur caliber of his first two films). The previously mentioned chronology obviously had it’s influence on directors like Quentin Tarantino, and the 1956 film features a piquantly acted, if somewhat homoerotic scene between the protagonist Johnny Clay and one of his older criminal flunkies. Pulp writer Jim Thompson’s distinct dialogue, later made full press in Kubrick’s film “Paths of Glory”, is a staple of the film that resonates long after viewing. “The Killing” is one of Kubrick’s finest early works and should be viewed by any who claim to be a fan of noir film.
Considering it’s age “The Killing” can be found in the classic cinema section of your local rental store or online rental service.
Other stuff like this: Jim Thompson, noir cinema, Stanely Kubrick, The Killing
