With high expectations upon watching another Alan Ladd/Veronica Lake film, I found Saigon a sad ending of what had been film noir's most exciting pairing of two of 1940s most popular stars. Veronica Lake looks tired throughout most of the film and the agitated character she plays, does not give her a chance to relax with her usual coolness. Alan Ladd's character also lacks his usual charisma and try as he might, his scenes with Lake are more fizzle than sizzle, and his part restricts him from doing very much in the sock-and-bust'em line. The other players in this film, including one fellow who is doomed to die and another who's a wag, do little to stimulate any excitement. And the ending takes place in a cemetery, which only adds to the melancholy realization of the end of an era. With all of this said, the story does move at a brisk pace, has some interesting moments, and the sets designed to capture the proper Vietnam atmosphere are adequate. For the fans of Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake, this film will either satisfy or disappoint.
Review of Saigon
