Product: Pickup on South Street (The Criterion Collection) (1953)
Rating: 4.0
AN AMBIANCE OF PARANOIA
Night-for-night shooting and low-key lighting infuse Sam Fuller's 1953 production with a stark, noir ambiance. Adding to the paranoia of this tough romance is the authentic atmosphere of 1950's "red menace" fears that were rampant (some controversial scholars now say the fear was grounded in a reality).Richard Widmark is a master pick pocket. On a crowded New York subway, he dips his fingers into Jean Peter's purse and unknowingly lifts some communist microfilm that he later tries to leverage for 25 Gs. Dirty commie rats and determined cops swirl around a desperate couple's entanglement.Sam Fuller was a seasoned reporter with street smarts. His no nonsense films are tightly written and artfully composed. The compelling characters are usually in emotional turmoil with the threat of unexpected violence -- and death -- always lurking. Widmark's wonderfully cynical face and voice and beautiful Peter's hard-boiled but vulnerable character are just right. Thelma Ritter steals her scenes as doomed street snitch (she was nominated for an Oscar). A cool Criterion extra is Richard Schickel's video interview with colorful director Fuller.