Detour(1945) in terms of production values is unimpressive, which for some films can be disastrous, but here it becomes a virtue. What is lacking in tehnical professionalism is compensated with strong artistic effort. Its the less than perfect production values that makes characters, motives, and situations feel credible and semi-realistic. Many low budget films made for the next fifty plus years owe a debt to Detour(1945) as a paver of modern independent cinema. One example where a film can be excellent without having a big budget, or large amount of resourses.
Told in a first person narration though flashbacks, to give viewer a way to identify at times with main protagonist. Al Robert's point of view when describing his side of the story has a disorienting effect of what is or is not true about his tale. First Person narration put me on guard because I began to think that his version of events that occurs during the film has been distorted to make himself look more helpless and innocent. The First person narration is very Poe like in seeing through the mind of a possible insane man. Similar appoarch to the First Person narrations of THE BLACK CAT, THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER, THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM, & TELL TALE HEART.
There are two types of categories that fit into the basic modes of Film Noir. First, there is the detective story, which involves complex plots, and scenes of Police procedue. Second, the innocent man corrupted story, which told through flashbacks,has first person narration, and deals with human nature and misfortune. Detour(1945) belongs to the latter category of basic Film Noir modes. Minimalist classic that's among best in Film Noir during 1941-1945 period that's heavily inspired by German Expressionism.
Edgar G. Ulmer is an example of a filmmaker in the 1940s succeeding as film director without much to work with. The genius of Detour lies in the skillful direction of Ulmer who is able to create a powerful sense of human despair and broodish mood. His direction for Detour(1945) can certainly be linked to style of Fritz Lang for whom Edgar Ulmer worked for during the 1920s. He had been a set designer(uncredited) before becoming a film director for Lang films such as Die Nibelungen(1924), Metropolis(1927), Spies(1928), and M(1931), as well as working under FW Murnau as an assistent director. Experience as set designer is reflective in style of sets for Detour(1945).
A theme, which is a noir favorite that plays big here is the theme of the doomed protagonist. Also, the focus turns to human desperation when things don't go right for Al Roberts. Al Roberts, the protagonist is a man who cannot escape his fate despite doing everything he can possibly do to avoid it. Tom Neal with his performance makes the Al Roberts character into a tragic figure, to which anything that can possibly go wrong actually does. One film that Detour(1945) is comparable to in many ways is Fritz Lang's Scarlet Street(1946) which is also about a doomed protagonist and his decline.
There are some elements in Detour(1945) that is in the style of Neo-Realism. First, the low budget feel is something Detour(1945) and many Neo-Realist films were dealt with. Second, human behavior and lack of fancy sets are a common thread among Detour, and Italian Neo-Realist films. Its interesting to note that while Edgar G. Ulmer was filming Detour here, an Italian filmmaker by the name of Roberto Rossellini introduced the first landmark Neo-Realist film to audiences called Rome, Open City(1945). Also, the editing in Detour and Neo-Realist films are not smooth and done in a manner akin to a newsreel.
There are a couple of ideas in Detour, which reminds me of Ossessione(1942). One, the sense of dread and doom felt by main protagonists. Two, importance on psychology, and human despair over typical Hollywood style ideas. I can see how a film like Ossessione could have had a major impact in the style of Detour(1945). Preemits the films of Mario Bava whose films were for the most part void of any large budgets, or limitless resources, yet were filled with an unique artistic quality that might not be seen in a big budget Hollywood styled film.
Vera is one fiesty, tough film noir femme fatale, and one of the most memorable in history of Hollywood Noirs. Anne Savage gives a ferocious and captivating performance as the intimidtating, and aggressively imposing Vera. Without good girl qualities, which makes her into one scary Film Noir femme fatale. The scene where she practically orchestrates her own death is one chilling moment. No One since has given such a tour de force performance and perhaps no one never will.
Like most film noirs that dealt with identical subject matters, Detour(1945) is a downbeat and sad motion picture that looks the darkness below the lights of the city. Probably played a role in the concept and filming ideas of Mario Bava's Rabid Dogs(1974). Tom Neal is very good for his role and even looks the part of Al Roberts. Not a perfect film yet that is the main charm of Detour(1945) because it gives film it contributes to grim and moody style. The scenes in the nightclub when Al Roberts is playing the piano reminds me of Black Angel(1946), and Shoot the Piano Player(1960).
There are a few scenes in film that were my favorites. One, the conversation between Charles Haskell JR and Al Roberts on the character of Vera. Two, the moment when Al Roberts becomes desperate after the accidential death of Haskell JR. Three, the moment when Al Roberts decides to stand up to Vera and accidentially kills her in the process via telephone cord. Sadly, this was to be Tom Neal's big moment in the sun as his life ended a few years later in tragic circumstances.
Told in a first person narration though flashbacks, to give viewer a way to identify at times with main protagonist. Al Robert's point of view when describing his side of the story has a disorienting effect of what is or is not true about his tale. First Person narration put me on guard because I began to think that his version of events that occurs during the film has been distorted to make himself look more helpless and innocent. The First person narration is very Poe like in seeing through the mind of a possible insane man. Similar appoarch to the First Person narrations of THE BLACK CAT, THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER, THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM, & TELL TALE HEART.
There are two types of categories that fit into the basic modes of Film Noir. First, there is the detective story, which involves complex plots, and scenes of Police procedue. Second, the innocent man corrupted story, which told through flashbacks,has first person narration, and deals with human nature and misfortune. Detour(1945) belongs to the latter category of basic Film Noir modes. Minimalist classic that's among best in Film Noir during 1941-1945 period that's heavily inspired by German Expressionism.
Edgar G. Ulmer is an example of a filmmaker in the 1940s succeeding as film director without much to work with. The genius of Detour lies in the skillful direction of Ulmer who is able to create a powerful sense of human despair and broodish mood. His direction for Detour(1945) can certainly be linked to style of Fritz Lang for whom Edgar Ulmer worked for during the 1920s. He had been a set designer(uncredited) before becoming a film director for Lang films such as Die Nibelungen(1924), Metropolis(1927), Spies(1928), and M(1931), as well as working under FW Murnau as an assistent director. Experience as set designer is reflective in style of sets for Detour(1945).
A theme, which is a noir favorite that plays big here is the theme of the doomed protagonist. Also, the focus turns to human desperation when things don't go right for Al Roberts. Al Roberts, the protagonist is a man who cannot escape his fate despite doing everything he can possibly do to avoid it. Tom Neal with his performance makes the Al Roberts character into a tragic figure, to which anything that can possibly go wrong actually does. One film that Detour(1945) is comparable to in many ways is Fritz Lang's Scarlet Street(1946) which is also about a doomed protagonist and his decline.
There are some elements in Detour(1945) that is in the style of Neo-Realism. First, the low budget feel is something Detour(1945) and many Neo-Realist films were dealt with. Second, human behavior and lack of fancy sets are a common thread among Detour, and Italian Neo-Realist films. Its interesting to note that while Edgar G. Ulmer was filming Detour here, an Italian filmmaker by the name of Roberto Rossellini introduced the first landmark Neo-Realist film to audiences called Rome, Open City(1945). Also, the editing in Detour and Neo-Realist films are not smooth and done in a manner akin to a newsreel.
There are a couple of ideas in Detour, which reminds me of Ossessione(1942). One, the sense of dread and doom felt by main protagonists. Two, importance on psychology, and human despair over typical Hollywood style ideas. I can see how a film like Ossessione could have had a major impact in the style of Detour(1945). Preemits the films of Mario Bava whose films were for the most part void of any large budgets, or limitless resources, yet were filled with an unique artistic quality that might not be seen in a big budget Hollywood styled film.
Vera is one fiesty, tough film noir femme fatale, and one of the most memorable in history of Hollywood Noirs. Anne Savage gives a ferocious and captivating performance as the intimidtating, and aggressively imposing Vera. Without good girl qualities, which makes her into one scary Film Noir femme fatale. The scene where she practically orchestrates her own death is one chilling moment. No One since has given such a tour de force performance and perhaps no one never will.
Like most film noirs that dealt with identical subject matters, Detour(1945) is a downbeat and sad motion picture that looks the darkness below the lights of the city. Probably played a role in the concept and filming ideas of Mario Bava's Rabid Dogs(1974). Tom Neal is very good for his role and even looks the part of Al Roberts. Not a perfect film yet that is the main charm of Detour(1945) because it gives film it contributes to grim and moody style. The scenes in the nightclub when Al Roberts is playing the piano reminds me of Black Angel(1946), and Shoot the Piano Player(1960).
There are a few scenes in film that were my favorites. One, the conversation between Charles Haskell JR and Al Roberts on the character of Vera. Two, the moment when Al Roberts becomes desperate after the accidential death of Haskell JR. Three, the moment when Al Roberts decides to stand up to Vera and accidentially kills her in the process via telephone cord. Sadly, this was to be Tom Neal's big moment in the sun as his life ended a few years later in tragic circumstances.